| EK-wee-taws justice, fairness | Aequitas |
The Field of Voices is a grid of 500-1000 10 foot tall 18 inches square columns which individually emit a prerecorded message on approach. 200 messages have been collected from participants around the world and include comments, dedications, poems, songs, and testimonials in their native languages. More such messages will be collected with the use of a toll free telephone number in a web campaign with the ability to edit, curate, and embed them in new poles almost instantly. The intention is to delight, amaze, and foster understanding between cultures and people in general reaching all ages and backgrounds.
The alchemical effect of the unique utterances from around the world has to be experienced to be believed as one wanders amongst these large white columns listening through headphones and viewing through their mobile phones or ipads. Augmented reality using the Layar platform means that these columns are ghostly presences which cannot be detected with naked eye or ear. This event while not the first use of the Layar platform for art is the first use of its audio capabilities in such an ambitious range.
Aequitas is Latin for equality, symmetry and fairness between individuals. By working under the singular identity as Aequitas, the intention is to direct focus on the art rather than the individual; to remain outside the cult of personality, to explore alternatives to the more culturally accepted individual creative force. They believe collaboration does not require leadership and can bring better results through decentralization and egalitarianism. It is a working practice that art collaboration should be playful and not taken too seriously.
The Artists who comprise Aequitas, Stephen Beveridge and Kelley McLean, will be on hand with charts and brochures explaining the project to the curious. 1000 postcards will be created detailing the installation, where, when, and how to access it, and how to participate by calling a toll free number to leave a voice recording. Postcards will go out not only to the arts community and augmented reality enthusiasts, but various cultural institutions, local schools, tour companies and the media will be made aware of the opportunity to participate and attend.
The initial installation of Field of Voices in the virtual world of Second Life was part of an unprecedented international collaboration of the art of virtual worlds that exhibited the work of artists from more than twenty nations in real world galleries in six countries: France, Holland, Germany, Brazil, Australia, and the USA. Virtual Worlds are computer generated, immersive, three-dimensional environments that allow people from around the globe to interact with one another through “avatars” (digital bodies) and to shape their environments, both individually and collectively, by using graphical and programming tools. The response of over 6000 visitors was overwhelmingly positive and word of mouth increased attendance throughout the one month exhibition period.
Tell us your Story
We are interested in how you met in the network. Contact us at aequitas at arsactual dot com with your story and we will meet with you in the network to turn it in to a short film and slideshow.