Field of Bodies
Field of Bodies, (2018) is a series of virtual sculptures and performances. I see it as an exploration of movement and dynamic drawing. This work makes visible presence, movement, virtuality physicalized through tracing my body. I am using a program called Gravity Sketch, to find different ways to create a body in virtual reality using a variety of techniques, that I am calling “procedures”. I have been conducting artistic research by employing 3D design tools and making simple physical tools that impose tangible limitations using preplanned strategies to direct the making of virtual bodies. This research explores new ways to reorient, reflect, analyze and create bodies in the virtual space. Shadow and Dust, (2018) is the culmination of that research and the documentation for it can be found on this website.

Virtual Reality Experience
Run time- 15 min

This view of the installation has a transforming projection of Sudanchu's photograph at the center. The brilliant cyans and magentas pulsate like the circulatory system of a body but are in fact tree branches. Sudanchu's Photography reflects his interest and study of the human body. Char and Sudachu collaborated on the projection which activates a pulse of tree branches.
Sudanchu Shekhar
Char Stiles

Anna Henson's webcam is actually not one webcam but two webcams. One webcam is inside the body of the installation and captures the bodies that spontaneously perform for it. The performance is then projected onto a membrane in the front of the room and captured by the second webcam and projected back onto the chamber of the installation where the performance is happening. This interaction is happening in real time, and the performer can see the changes of light. The recursive nature of the interaction is tangible immediately spawning more play and performance.
One important note: We are not recording the participants through these webcams.

Upon entering Powder Room, this translucent organ, a gauzy interior pulses with asymmetrically rhythmic color.

Close-up of Char's projection on the walls of the installation. This figure was captured at CMU's Panoptic Studio as a point cloud and manipulated by Char. Emily's organic seats were crafted for the space with the intention of creating a communal space to observe the projections and have a conversation.
Char Stiles
www.charstiles.com
Emily deGrandpré
emilydegrandpre.com

Close-up of Char's projection on the walls of the installation. This figure was captured at CMU's Panoptic Studio as a point cloud and manipulated by Char. Emily's organic seats were crafted for the space with the intention of creating a communal space to observe the projections and have a conversation.
Char Stiles
www.charstiles.com
Emily deGrandpré
emilydegrandpre.com

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from two people tracing the front side of their bodies. The result of which is a sculpture of the space between the two bodies.
Video Documentation
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from two people tracing the front side of their bodies. The result of which is a sculpture of the space between the two bodies.
Video Documentation
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from two people tracing the front side of their bodies. The result of which is a sculpture of the space between the two bodies.
Video Documentation
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from two people tracing the front side of their bodies. The result of which is a sculpture of the space between the two bodies.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from two people tracing the front side of their bodies. The result of which is a sculpture of the space between the two bodies.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body as I walked around a square outline on the floor. This work is inspired by Bruce Nauman's Walking in an Exaggerated Manner around the Perimeter of a Square. Holding a handheld Vive controller to my body to make the "tracing" in VR while trying to walk the perimeter of a square in fact did create a very exaggerated movement.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body as I walked around a square outline on the floor. This work is inspired by Bruce Nauman's Walking in an Exaggerated Manner around the Perimeter of a Square. Holding a handheld Vive controller to my body to make the "tracing" in VR while trying to walk the perimeter of a square in fact did create a very exaggerated movement.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body as I walked around a square outline on the floor. This work is inspired by Bruce Nauman's Walking in an Exaggerated Manner around the Perimeter of a Square. Holding a handheld Vive controller to my body to make the "tracing" in VR while trying to walk the perimeter of a square in fact did create a very exaggerated movement.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes and pulleys to extend and explore the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes and pulleys to extend and explore the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reflect and reorient the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reflect and reorient the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reflect and reorient the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reflect and reorient the length of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using Vive controller tethered to a stick to trace the upward facing surfaces of my body.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using a rotating plate and a symmetry function.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using a rotating plate and a symmetry function.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using a rotating plate and a symmetry function.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program by attaching a Vive Controller to a mechanically rotating wheel.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program by attaching a Vive Controller to a mechanically rotating wheel.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program by attaching a Vive Controller to a mechanically rotating wheel.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reshape my body in the kneeling position.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program using ropes, springs and pulleys to reshape my body in the kneeling position.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing my body in a VR drawing/design program while spinning on a office chair.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing the negative space around my body in a VR drawing/design program. I was thinking about my body existing in the "field" around me, thereby extending my body into that space.
Dimensions are indeterminate

Image from a virtual sculpture that was created from tracing the negative space around my body in a VR drawing/design program. I was thinking about my body existing in the "field" around me, thereby extending my body into that space.
Dimensions are indeterminate