Tamiko Thiel:

The Travels of Mariko Horo

[ printable installation description ]

Installation description:

"The Travels of Mariko Horo" is implemented in the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) standard and runs off the hard drive of a fast WindowsXP computer. It requires the Bitmanagement BSContact 7.0 VRML/X3D browser, a good graphics card and a good, separate sound card (NOT on the motherboard.)

The virtual environment is projected in real-time on a large 3x4 meter screen (9' x 12'.) This size is carefully chosen so that the image is life-sized and thereby engages the user's kinesthetic senses, producing a strong sense of immersion without the expensive hardware of a CAVE or a head-mounted display.

The user input device will be a joystick or similar device.

NOTE: The technology and presentation used in "The Travels of Mariko Horo" is similar to my earlier work "Beyond Manzanar," which has been exhibited in festivals and galleries around the world. An edition of "Beyond Manzanar" is in the permanent collection of the San Jose Museum of Art in San Jose, California, USA, and in its 2 year run was extremely popular with the public, including families and users of all genders, ages and ethnic backgrounds. (See http://www.mission-base.com/manzanar/.)

Room plan:

• Click on image for larger web image
• This image also included in the printable installation description

Installation requirements:

Room and Screen:

The room should be dark and FULLY ENCLOSED on all sides and ceiling:
- entrance on the side toward the back, so light does not fall directly on the screen.
- walls should extend to the ceiling, so that no light leaks in.
- no other sources of sound nearby (sound track has a wide dynamic range,
  sometimes very quiet and sometimes very loud.

Room size:
- 3.5m high x 5m wide x 9m deep (12' high x 17' wide x 30' deep.)

Screen size:
- Screen (for life-sized image): 3m high by 4m wide (9' by 12')
- Screen center: 1.5m (5') from floor.

Hardware and software (to be provided by the venue):

Data projector (takes computer input):
- image resolution 1024x768 pixels
- ceiling mountable (or rear projection)
- keystone distortion compensation
- 3500 ANSI lumens minimum
- specs should indicate it can handle a screen size of 5m diagonal (15' diagonal.)
- long PC-projector cable to reach PC.

PC hardware (MINIMUM requirements):
- Pentium IV 3.5 Gigahertz processor or equivalent
- 1 Gigabyte of system RAM
- separate sound card such as Sound Blaster (NOT on motherboard)
- mouse and keyboard (for booting system)
- Graphics card:
    - Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT or ATI Radeon X1800 XL (minimum!)
    - Video RAM: 256 megabytes
    - Anti-aliasing 4x turned on

PC software (minimum requirements):
- WindowsXP, Service Pack 2
- Internet Explorer Version 6+ browser
- DirectX 9.0c graphic drivers
- Windows Mediaplayer

Stereo PC speakers:
- Large, active PC stereo speakers capable of handling a large dynamic range.
- Speakers should be mounted on the walls or ceiling slightly in front of the joystick, so
  that sound can be relatively low to avoid disturbing visitors to nearby artworks, but
  still loud enough so users at the joystick can hear the sound well.

I will provide the following hardware and software:

- VRML code for The Travels of Mariko Horo
- Modified joystick in custom-made joystick box
- Bitmanagement BSContact 7.0 VRML/X3D browser plugin