 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
 |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
(continued)
The project is concerned with the ways in which light stimulates the brain towards a range of restful and alert states. "Day Tripper" seeks to provide a new experience of place generated by the physical nature of the environment. In the process, Beckman creates analogies between travel as an industry and the internal movement of the mind. Viewers are made aware of those overlooked elements of the modern city that play a part in shaping experience. In addition, they are invited to reflect upon their own role as a physical element within a specific place and time.
Arthur Aghajanian
Project Description:
Day Tripper is a multiple city project that maps out accessible sources of mind-altering experiences found in the everyday environment. Responding to the energy of the particular locale, its population, architecture, and extra/ordinary movements, the project identifies alternative public social spaces and their potential for cultural resonance.
Day Tripper concerns ordinary (human-made and naturally occurring) sites in cities that inadvertently produce the effect of altering the observer’s brain waves towards a meditative or hyper-alert state. The effect is achieved through photic (light) stimulation. Light is calculated in cycles per second, referred to as hertz. Observed photic stimulation creates a sympathetic response on the part of the observer- the brain’s own hertz frequency responds in synchronization, down or up, towards levels associated, respectively, with rest or anxiety.
In fusing the everyday and the spectacular, the project means to be generous of spirit in addition to being an exploration of locale, perceptual phenomena, and visual communication. The project aims to produce a type of alternative destination campaign and mapping strategy. The visual language utilized in the images, while being exploratory in nature, optimizes the intent of the travel poster. The project provides a metaphor for and between literal travel (new experiences outside of yourself), and the transcendence associated with the art experience. The creation of a new affinity amongst observers is implied and desired by the project.
Day Tripper Gold Coast locates 7 sites in the greater Santa Barbara, California area that host public cathode-ray tube television sets. CRT t.v.’s commonly operate within a frequency range of 40-85 hertz, or cycles per second. The animal brain is also calculated in hertz, with levels above 30hz, the gamma band, known to promote hyper-alert and anxious mental states. The effect is heightened in groups. Additionally, neural synchronous activity at 40hz and above is involved in binding sensory inputs to the single perceived object, allowing us to synthesize complex sensory information. Dedicated observation of CRT’s causes brain waves to synchronize with the gamma band frequency, affording observers the opportunity to enjoy beneficial levels of alertness, anxiety and synthesis. Subsequent research reveals additional benefits of gamma wavelengths, through Buddhist monks achieving the exalted gamma state by meditating on “unconditional loving-kindness and compassion.”
DTGC, as installed at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum (2004-05), parallels the development of broadcast television with civil protest movements. Technical advancement and greater public access is shown to mirror the swelling numbers of participants in protest marches.
intro page Gold Coast Hollywood TriBeCa