Blockhead Visits the Experimental World of Ed Tannenbaum
By Blockhead
I know it's been a long time, but I think this one will make up for lost time. I've actually been out travelling to try and bring back the latest and greatest from the world of enhanced, art-driven technoplasm. Yes, that's right, technoplasm. Blockhead has actually discovered a new element in our universe. It's not like carbon or argon. No, it actually stimulates and activates inspiration to create art through technology. Yes, I am a freak.
Ed Tannenbaum has been around since the beginning of time. If there ever was a prehistoric time line of people who influenced early computer video art, Ed would be on the far left. Ed's first computer was a KIM 1, an evaluation board for the 6502 processor which was used in the Apple II, Atari, Commodore 64, PET, and other computers of its day.
In live performance, Ed takes the human body's movement and orchestrates it to his live, moving video. It's all about the shapes and the design that take Ed's work to the next level. Check out his piece Pons Maar in Oua Oua on his website. It made Blockhead's block spin.
One of the coolest installations that Ed has ever done, though, is a piece called Recollections. You can see it live on his website and also at the Exploratorium in San Francisco! Computer processors simulate the movement of the participant in real time through a set of light-capturing screens. I felt like I was able to paint on the wall as I moved my arms up and down.
I see Ed's work as not only physical, but also psychological. Ed's artistic experimentation allows the participant to feel manipulated. Manipulated in a positive way? Right on! One of the first to experiment with the pixelization of an image, Ed creates works such as Elastic Surgery and Discernibility. Elastic Surgery, which you can play with live on the website, takes the attributes of your face and stretches them into places you've never imagined. It's surgery and it's free! Hollywood housewives and actors should hear about this one. Or they could just do what I do-- wear a large object on their shoulders. I don't spend any time with my hair in the morning.
So Ed's been doing what he does for more than 20 years and you can bet he'll probably be doing it for 20 more. He's one of a kind and has a lot of passion for his work in the modern technological realm that can sometimes exude a certain sterility. More power to you Ed! Thanks to all of you loyal followers who have waited so long for this latest adventure.
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