3D Digital Animation, Video Installation, Neuroscience and Visualizing Brain Data on Emotions
Discrete Terrain: Windows on Five Emotions (mockup), 2007, scientific data visualization as three-channel digital art video installation, with sound, 5 min 29 sec, dimensions approx. 6ft high x 18ft wide.
Inner emotional states visible as external topography.
This work invites the viewer to the inner world of twelve individuals who participated in a study on the brain basis of emotions. The artist created animations in which shape, movement, and sound of a 3D plane are based on the EEG (electroencephalogram) data of the subjects under neuroscientific study during five emotional states (anger, joy, fear, sadness, and disgust). Each emotion is visualized in the above order at approximately eight second intervals. The working idea was to make inner subjective states visible as external topography, experienced by the viewer as a journey through otherworldly terrain.
Data by Dr. James Coan, Virginia Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Virginia. Sound by Manly Romero.
Interview by WICN 90.5FM Inquiry host Mark Lynch. Eva Lee and neuroscientist Dr. James Coan discuss the making of and inspiration for Discrete Terrain: Windows on Five Emotion, a multi-channel digital video installation exhibited originally at The DeCordova Museum. Listen here.
Made possible in part by the support of MacDowell.
