About Contagion

Contagion is an interactive video installation compelling in its interactivity and powerful through its exploration of images, perception, surveillance, bio-security and human interaction.

In this major new work, the tiniest movements of visitors in the installation space are tracked and made visible as colours projected on screen; new colours and sounds are created as visitors’ paths coincide. However, deep in the shadows lies a threat – a (fictional) highly infective agent. Contagion models the spread of this agent amongst present, past and future visitors, using rules and behaviors based on the epidemiology of SARS and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This data is processed to form the basis of the projected imagery, creating a rich, complex and constantly evolving visual system, accompanied by an atmospheric sound score from electronic musician/composer Fennesz.

Contagion prompts us to contemplate our own roles of cause and effect within the installation, in relation to the biological spread of diseases and to the dissemination of information, ideas and beliefs.

Contagion will be premiered at Brisbane Festival from 18 July – 3 August 2008 at The Block, QUT, Brisbane.

Produced by Forma, www.forma.org.uk

Funded by Wellcome Trust Sci-Art Awards, with additional support from Arts Victoria, Melbourne City Council, and Experimedia at The State Library of Victoria, AU, 2005-7