Continuing in the creative, virtual vein on Saturday, May 8th, I went
to see and hear Jaron Lanier, scholar, virtuoso musician, writer,
scientist and father of virtual reality, perform at the Cooper Union
school as a benefit for Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. (ASCI). The
event launched ASCI's annual Cyberart '99 symposium. Lanier is
commanding. Dressed all in black, with Birkenstocks, the longest
blond dreadlocks I've ever seen and all the love of a big cuddly polar
bear, Jaron thrilled the audience with his masterful playing of any
number of instruments, including the Ba Wu, Seljeflote, Gu Zheng,
Khaen, and Disklavier piano. These instruments had sensors
connected to Silicon Graphics-based 3-D images that were projected
real-time on a large-screen video display.
He started us off with a piano number. Then he stopped and asked if
the images animated were based on his playing, or if he was following
the cue of the graphics. We had to believe in the illusion -- which is
what the web offers us daily -- the challenge to believe the reality and
interactivity of what's virtual. "Echoes of Chromatophoria" was the
title of this night's program, which is taken from Jaron's love of the
Giant Cuttlefish. These amazing little creatures communicate by
displaying luminous, quickly changing colorful images all over their
bodies through chromatophores--color-changing cells found in the
Cuttlefish's skin. I wish I were a cuttlefish! We got to witness more
stunning 3D graphics as he jammed with a violinist, cellist, and in a
separate number with a Mexican guitar player. Another stunning
performance came from Sussan Deyhim, an Iranian singer. Matilda, a
dragonfly, newt-like monster, was controlled on the screen by
Sussan's soaring voice, which reached new heights and then clucked
like a chicken. Jaron cut a wood lathe that in turn struck piano and
hammer-like images as he played a flute.
Mr. Lanier pioneered the development of virtual reality, and his
current research work at Advanced Network & Services has been
bringing together recognized experts in virtual reality and networking
to identify issues and to develop plans to build a national
tele-immersive research infrastructure. Jaron on the web. The event
was produced by the additional support of: YAMAHA, Theatrical
Services & Supplies/PROXIMA, Silicon Graphics, and A's Wave.
