Title:
Videoplace
Artist(s):
Myron Kruger
Brief description of the work:
Interactive environment where the computer responds to the gestures of the audience by interpreting, and even anticipating, their actions.
Materials, dimensions, duration:
Darkened room with 8' x 10' rear view projection screen, camera, computer, control monitor
Location (venue & dates, public/ private):

Developed from 1970 onwards, 1975 shown first at Milwaukee Art Museum; then shown at various venues including SIGGRAPH in 1985, and Prix Ars Electronica in 1990. Permanent exhibition in Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, Storrs, Connecticut, US

Audience information (size, mode of participation):
There are about 25 different pre-programmed Interaction patterns for one or more participants; in single participant mode Videoplace is more meditative in character, in multi-participant mode more playful. In its first stage in 1975, Videoplace allowed two players in remote locations to interact with with each over a combined video projection.Krueger later also developed artificial or human 'critters' that interact with the silhouette of the participant.
Other information (reviews, collaborators, funders):
Videoplace is mentioned in Stiles and Selz, Theories and documents of contemporary art; and in Packer and Jordan (2001), Multimedia from Wagner to Virtual Reality' Norton, London, New York (p.113 f)
Floorplan, scheme:
Early scheme showing single player interaction pattern 'Instant replay'
 
Visual/ audio-visual reference:
Interaction pattern 'individual medley', where 8 silhouettes of the participant are remembered and overlayed in different colours
participant and 'critter'
Key theme(s):
Social play; immersive play; observing one's non-verbal communication; interplay and fusion between a participant's physical presence and a perceived reality (projected image)
Further context:

Rather than on simulation of an environment, and complex rule based interaction, the emphasis of Videoplace is on human interaction and play. Krueger only uses simple rules, which allow the participant to explore the images generated in a more playful way.

Sounds are also generated by the movement of participants in the space, this aspect is however a minor part of the work.

Links and further references:
http://www.aec.at/en/archives/prix_archive/prix_projekt.asp?iProjectID=2473#
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/works/videoplace/
http://www.artmuseum.net/w2vr/timeline/Krueger.html