In ‘pond’, de Valk and Mansoux investigate to what extent information can develop in a network of computers linked with each other and how it is possible for an audience to interact with it.

The ‘pond’ installation consists of three interconnected machines. Each machine runs a simple ecosystem model in which small strings of data are produced, processed and sent back and forth from computer to computer. Even though the number crunching methods are abstract, the process is visualized in the shape and form of a pond, inhabited by little data-creatures. When the machines are turned on, these ‘creatures’ remain in the computer memory and can go about their business. They socialize, reproduce, jump to other systems and after a while… die. It is possible for the audience to interact with each pond via a touch screen, directly influencing and breaking the self organizing process.

‘pond’ is an experiment and a game for people who are curious about the possibilities of standalone processes, generative systems and artificial life.

Metabiosis – pond has been exhibited at the Netherlands Media Art Institute from the 15th of June until the 14th of July 2007

For more information about the Metabiosis project, please visit the project site http://metabiosis.kuri.mu

Metabiosis is made possible with support from the Netherlands Media Art Institute, Kunsthochschule fur Medien Koln and the Digital Research Unit