University of Iowa


Art & Design

Reproduced with permission from NeXT Computer, Inc.
A Reference Guide to NeXT in Higher Education, Fall 1992
ยช 1992 NeXT Computer, Inc

Cataloging and experiencing non-traditional art with technology

Artists involved in the Fluxus movement attempted to break down the structure of traditional art as a submissive medium. The movement's primary goal was to make the components and interpretation of art more accessible. Frequently, everyday objects such as postcards were incorporated within Fluxus works. For example, Flux Year Box 2 was crafted from a 10-inch hinged-lid square wooden box about 2 inches deep. More than 17 artists, including Yoko Ono and George Macunias, collaborated to create the work in 1969. Now, due to its appraised value, people cannot interact personally with Flux Year Box 2 as the artists intended.

This frustration was the inspiration behind the Flux Year Box 2 simulation developed on the NeXT platform at the University of Iowa. "Our design model was simple," says Joan Huntley, project leader of the NeXT Flux Year Box 2 simulation. "We wanted to give people the feeling they were actually working with the real Fluxus artwork-opening it and playing with the objects inside."

"Joan's goal of imitating real objects was a primary reason we developed the project on NeXT computers," says Mike Partridge, creator of Fluxbase, the underlying program. "Fluxus works are generally collections of physical objects. Because the NeXTSTEP development environment is object-oriented," says Partridge," it's inherently easier to use to simulate physical objects."

To achieve a realistic effect, Huntley used a digital video camera to capture images of the actual Flux Year Box 2. Once all the elements were captured, Partridge converted the images to TIFF format and displayed them on a NeXT machine. "Handling the digital images was easy," says Partridge, "because the NeXT Application Kit contains image manipulation objects that treat each picture as a graphic object file."

Partridge then built the virtual Flux Year Box 2. Using Interface Builder, he created the primary backgrounds-one of Flux Year Box 2 closed and another with its lid opened. Inside the real box are a number of small compartments, or bins. Contained within each bin is an individual artist's object. To simulate the real box, Partridge placed each scanned image into its corresponding bin. He created a bin index to keep track of each object and its location. This index was especially handy during testing, enabling Partridge to quickly return each object to its original bin.

"After a couple of weeks, when I was familiar enough with NeXTSTEP, I added invisible buttons to each object," says Partridge. When the user clicks an object's "hot spot," it activates an animated effect, such as opening a box of matches or flipping over a playing card. "The basic, functioning prototype took about four weeks to create."

"The NeXT display is so large that Flux Year Box 2 and its contents are displayed at nearly actual size," adds Huntley. Among the objects are illustrated monogram cards, an envelope, a box of matches, and a film loop. Using the mouse, the user can drag an object from its bin and explore it. The user can remove a box of matches, for example, and open it to reveal the underlying message or open an envelope to remove the note it contains. By clicking the note's corners, the user can unfold the note, read it, and then refold it.

Partridge is currently experimenting with NeXT's Sound Kit to take advantage of NeXT's digital signal processor to incorporate recorded music and oral interviews with the artists.

"We'd like the artists to be able to explain their exhibits-or how their element interacts with another artist's work," says Huntley. "The NeXT computer adds a new dimension to discovering and interpreting the artist's intended message or effect."

For more information, please contact:

Joan Huntley
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-5470
jhuntley@memex.weeg.uiowa.edu