Tselem
A technologically mediated esoteric ritual exploring eschatological belief systems in HCI through embodied performance and the CrackleMask.
About the Performance
Tselem confronts latent eschatological belief systems in human-computer interaction through esoteric ritual. Drawing on the theological understanding of apocalypse as revelation, the performance approaches apocalypse as the unveiling of hidden truths that may disrupt an existing social order.
Eschatological belief systems find expression in HCI through the notion that technological innovation will solve humanity's problems. Within the context of esoteric ritual, CrackleMask serves as a conduit through which the embodied histories of spaces may reveal themselves or even possess the performer.
The performance was presented at the 2022 International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME).
Performance System
Tselem uses CrackleMask Rev. 2, a wearable implementation of Michael Waisvisz's Kraakdoos (CrackleBox). Its touch-sensitive circuit incorporates the body's electrical properties, producing unpredictable oscillations and noise.
The instrument's contact points are positioned on the exterior of the mask, requiring the performer to touch their face. A speaker facing inward toward the mouth allows the oral cavity to act as a formant filter. A wireless microphone inside the mask sends the resulting sound to SuperCollider for live processing.
Original Program Notes
Tselem is a technologically mediated esoteric ritual that uses CrackleMask Rev. 2 as a conduit for the revelation of embodied histories in a given space through the performer.
Tselem is the biblical Hebrew term forimage and, in certain contexts,God's image. In this context, God's image may be thought of as a variable whose value is set to the experiential manifestation of one's own beliefs and related belief systems in relation to a space, and to the beliefs of others in relation to that space.
The Characters
God/s
voice(s)
humans
Tselem
The Plot
At some point in a story,
in this story, in that story,
perhaps his story, perhaps her story,
perhaps their story, perhaps history,
humans and God/s experienced each other
But over time, there emerged a gap between humans and God/s
(A/The) voice(s) became the path between God/s and humans
They could hear each other but no longer could they experience each other
The gap between (the/nil) voice(s) and God/s widened and became an abyss
The abyss became so wide that only the Tselem could travel between
(A/The) voice(s) were all but lost in the abyss
But the humans searched for the (A/The) voice(s) and found the Tselem
And Tselem became the path between God/s and humans
(A/The) voice(s) was/were all but lost in the abyss