Alchimia: an Inexplicable or Mysterious Transmutation, a Seemingly Magical Process of Transformation, Creation, or Combination

Abstract

Alchimia is an interactive installation that relies on a single spectator/interactor standing in front of a screen/webcam. It has been coded in Processing 3 and is calculation intensive, using the webcam to perform facial detection, while simultaneously processing pre-prepared images and sounds, thus creating a virtual space of constant audio-visual movement to deliberately interfere with real-time self-perception and self-recognition. Alchimia questions and changes our relationship with our own representation through the (ever present) camera and screen by focusing on the spectator's face, altering the expression, gender, assigning masks, making the facial traits diffuse, mixed, funny or scary, always mysterious, in a search for another "self", oblivious of the "selfie" pose and atitude, while allowing for self discovery and playfulness -- or intimidation. Trough the interaction the spectator/interactor is absorbed in the transmutation process, unaware of the fact that they also have become part of a performance: unique, unrepeatable, transformed.