.sciis [sensitive cumulative intelligent immersive systems]

A large-scale Virtual Reality work. 'The 3-D works are portable landscapes. They are intended to be exhibited in galleries or in public spaces. Data projected their surface area measures approximately [w] 12m x [h] 5m. These large-scale works show the influence of American colorfield paintings from the 50s, particularly the work of Barnett Newman. For more on colorfield, the sublime and the relationship to painting, see the e-say thethingasitis™ (2000).' (From Michael Atavar Web Notes) We are working to reformat iamme. The fast-moving nature of technology often means that works beyond 20 years old can find that the platforms that supported them do not exist any more. There are some screen images here that we have managed to reconstruct. 'It seems to me that we invent the technical possibilities of VR in order to create a space where our dream lives can still find a home. A place where there is confluence and tendency, where our bodies, used to walking between high-rise concrete buildings, can easily find the sensuality of open space and our eyes, used to seeing advertisements stuck to the pavement in front of us, can enjoy the absurdity of misaligned objects. It's no accident that .sciis is projected rather than shown on a computer screen or that it's blown up so big that the user feels that they can easily start walking into the piece, because each audience member is actually inside the piece, floating around, always changing. Everything they see – clouds, lights, streets, rain – is really nothing but themselves.' (From Michael Atavar Exhibition Notes) .sciis begins with a solo female voice '.sciis [sensitive cumulative intelligent immersive systems pronounced 'skies' is a VR experience for solo visitors. You are on a journey – instructions will be given to you on the way; instructions will be given to you by voice command. Breathe deeply. Survival rate 50%, outlook fair. Click to start.' .sciis was shown at 'What Do You Want To Do With It?' the ICA Festival of Digital Art. We are working to reformat .sciis. The fast-moving nature of technology often means that works beyond 20 years old can find that the platforms that supported them do not exist any more. There are some screen images here that we have managed to reconstruct. Writing about .sciis can be found in the book New Media Art – Practice And Context In The UK 1994–2004 editor Lucy Kimbell Arts Council England ISBN 0948797886. ATTC-Minus 7: Michael Atavar for Psopo Bubble Commissioned: DA2 in association with CAiiA-STAR at the University of Plymouth Supported: Arts Council England Thanks: Peter Ride, Mike Phillips Special thanks: Helen Cadwallader VR: Programming by Pascal Auberson. Audio files by Michael Atavar Graphic reconstructions: Richard Scarborough