| The ecological value of the Green Belt stems from the fact that open areas were created with the help of machines. - Christian Schwägerl Yale Environment 360 |
multimedia art by Stephen Ausherman
OVERVIEW
DMZ is a series of research projects in which artificial species are released into natural environments
that are or were once restricted from public access. Documentation and comparative analysis of these
projects are produced in various digital media formats (primarily video) suitable for public exhibition.
DMZ is a series of research projects in which artificial species are released into natural environments
that are or were once restricted from public access. Documentation and comparative analysis of these
projects are produced in various digital media formats (primarily video) suitable for public exhibition.
PROJECT SITES
WALKENRIED, GERMANY (OCT-NOV 2011)
My arts residency in Walkenried is focused on
the Green Belt, a nature reserve emerging from
the 870-mile corridor of fences and guard towers
that once separated East and West Germany.
This former Iron Curtain will be evaluated as a
"conservation machine." Data gathered here sets
the benchmark for DMZ projects elsewhere.
WALKENRIED, GERMANY (OCT-NOV 2011)
My arts residency in Walkenried is focused on
the Green Belt, a nature reserve emerging from
the 870-mile corridor of fences and guard towers
that once separated East and West Germany.
This former Iron Curtain will be evaluated as a
"conservation machine." Data gathered here sets
the benchmark for DMZ projects elsewhere.
INTENT
The aesthetic objective is to express abstract narratives through images of man-made objects in
natural landscapes. This contrast of unnatural/natural amplifies the academic/emotional dichotomy of
presenting works of art in a veneer of science. Though structured with irony and appearing playful at
times, the DMZ projects serve to illustrate important conservation issues, namely the dilemmas between
preservation and public access. The underlying intent is to foster discussion for creative approaches to
land management policies, and to encourage outdoor activity in a manner that is both enjoyable and
environmentally responsible.
The aesthetic objective is to express abstract narratives through images of man-made objects in
natural landscapes. This contrast of unnatural/natural amplifies the academic/emotional dichotomy of
presenting works of art in a veneer of science. Though structured with irony and appearing playful at
times, the DMZ projects serve to illustrate important conservation issues, namely the dilemmas between
preservation and public access. The underlying intent is to foster discussion for creative approaches to
land management policies, and to encourage outdoor activity in a manner that is both enjoyable and
environmentally responsible.
| A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. - The Wilderness Act of 1964 |
SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT &
ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE
Both of these public land areas share borders with a military installation. I intend to recruit
assistance from Sandia National Labs to facilitate access to restricted areas and/or develop new
species of invasive exotica, since preliminary tests indicate that our artificial species was unable
to breach the military perimeter:
ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE
Both of these public land areas share borders with a military installation. I intend to recruit
assistance from Sandia National Labs to facilitate access to restricted areas and/or develop new
species of invasive exotica, since preliminary tests indicate that our artificial species was unable
to breach the military perimeter:
JFK CAMPGROUND, MANZANO MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
This federally-owned recreation site has been under siege by private ranchers since 2008.
For this project, I will use the modified JFK limo to infiltrate the occupation zone and evaluate
the effectiveness of the cattlemen's barricade.
This federally-owned recreation site has been under siege by private ranchers since 2008.
For this project, I will use the modified JFK limo to infiltrate the occupation zone and evaluate
the effectiveness of the cattlemen's barricade.
| Lowrider modifications to the 1:24 scale JFK limo are still in the early stages |
GILA WILDERNESS
As the nation's first designated wilderness area, the Gila provides a unique habitat for field
testing some of our latest trans-species. In this project, I plan to release and monitor my
mechanized invasive exotica in the wilderness. I'll then evaluate the results against data
collections from wolf tracking, and render comparative data visualizations using ImagePlot
and other freeware programs. (The DMZ-NMWA project is contingent upon the artist's
acceptance into the NMWA Residency program.)
As the nation's first designated wilderness area, the Gila provides a unique habitat for field
testing some of our latest trans-species. In this project, I plan to release and monitor my
mechanized invasive exotica in the wilderness. I'll then evaluate the results against data
collections from wolf tracking, and render comparative data visualizations using ImagePlot
and other freeware programs. (The DMZ-NMWA project is contingent upon the artist's
acceptance into the NMWA Residency program.)
LOS ALAMOS
I'm also interested in collaborating with LANL scientists on field research involving
restricted areas near Los Alamos. The focus of a project here may likely shift toward
the development of technologies that inhibit or neutralize weapons, vehicles, and other
recreational devices that prove detrimental to natural environments. (The DMZ-LANL
project is contingent upon the artist's acceptance into the NM-SARC program.)
I'm also interested in collaborating with LANL scientists on field research involving
restricted areas near Los Alamos. The focus of a project here may likely shift toward
the development of technologies that inhibit or neutralize weapons, vehicles, and other
recreational devices that prove detrimental to natural environments. (The DMZ-LANL
project is contingent upon the artist's acceptance into the NM-SARC program.)
BACKGROUND
My familiarity with public lands and restricted areas is based in part on the extensive field research
conducted while writing 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque (Menasha Ridge Press, 2008; 2nd ed. 2012).
My experience as a journalist in Iraq, Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere also contributed to my understanding
of restricted areas. Video art, however, is my alternate mode of expression, the abstract counterpart to my
literary-journalistic approach to landscape interpretation. Both methods stem from the same field research,
but video art is the extension where I favor personal meaning over objective quantification. It offers new
ways to explore the nature and culture of outdoor spaces, and to explain the intangible elements—
preconceived notions, experience, memory and nostalgia—that influence perceptions of public lands.
DMZ is a logical extension of several past projects:
e-scape for the Provincetown Community Compact at Cape Cod National Seashore, MA
Kammer 2.1 for the New Mexico Film Office at the Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center
Kammer 21C for Blue Sky Project, involving the McHenry County Conservation District, IL
Kammer 107 for the Lanesboro Arts Foundation, involving the Root River Trail System, MN
wires for the Bernheim Foundation at Bernheim Forest, KY
Data extractions from these past projects will be used to enhance the DMZ projects.
My familiarity with public lands and restricted areas is based in part on the extensive field research
conducted while writing 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque (Menasha Ridge Press, 2008; 2nd ed. 2012).
My experience as a journalist in Iraq, Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere also contributed to my understanding
of restricted areas. Video art, however, is my alternate mode of expression, the abstract counterpart to my
literary-journalistic approach to landscape interpretation. Both methods stem from the same field research,
but video art is the extension where I favor personal meaning over objective quantification. It offers new
ways to explore the nature and culture of outdoor spaces, and to explain the intangible elements—
preconceived notions, experience, memory and nostalgia—that influence perceptions of public lands.
DMZ is a logical extension of several past projects:
e-scape for the Provincetown Community Compact at Cape Cod National Seashore, MA
Kammer 2.1 for the New Mexico Film Office at the Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center
Kammer 21C for Blue Sky Project, involving the McHenry County Conservation District, IL
Kammer 107 for the Lanesboro Arts Foundation, involving the Root River Trail System, MN
wires for the Bernheim Foundation at Bernheim Forest, KY
Data extractions from these past projects will be used to enhance the DMZ projects.
image detail
data visualization using 192 images of 'invasive exotica' from the -wires- project at Bernheim Forest:: x=hue (std dev); y=hue (mean)
The isolated group on the far right represents images shot indoors.
The isolated group on the far right represents images shot indoors.
PRESENTATION
The artist will consult with the exhibiting venue to determine the most appropriate presentation mode.
Basic options include interactive kiosk, single-channel video, and live video mixing.
Interactive kiosk:
The interactive kiosk is the only option for exhibiting all sound and visuals from the DMZ projects in full
context. The browser-based system keeps user-interface simple. It's as easy to navigate as a basic
website. All content immediately accessible from the C drive. No internet connection needed.
The artist will consult with the exhibiting venue to determine the most appropriate presentation mode.
Basic options include interactive kiosk, single-channel video, and live video mixing.
Interactive kiosk:
The interactive kiosk is the only option for exhibiting all sound and visuals from the DMZ projects in full
context. The browser-based system keeps user-interface simple. It's as easy to navigate as a basic
website. All content immediately accessible from the C drive. No internet connection needed.
basic components:
Single-channel video:
Select videos and loops from the DMZ projects will be available on DVD or as HD video files for linear
playback in theaters, gallery spaces, film festivals and other video events.
Live video mix:
The artist presents an array of video clips using video-mixing software and a projector. This option
works well as an ambient backdrop to events such as live music performances. In quieter venues, the
artist can present live mixes with original soundscapes. Vid-mix presentations can range from 5 minutes
to an hour, and are priced accordingly.
For more info, please contact Stephen Ausherman:
Select videos and loops from the DMZ projects will be available on DVD or as HD video files for linear
playback in theaters, gallery spaces, film festivals and other video events.
Live video mix:
The artist presents an array of video clips using video-mixing software and a projector. This option
works well as an ambient backdrop to events such as live music performances. In quieter venues, the
artist can present live mixes with original soundscapes. Vid-mix presentations can range from 5 minutes
to an hour, and are priced accordingly.
For more info, please contact Stephen Ausherman:
Green Band / former Iron Curtain exploration, day 1: Stumbled across the ruins of a
V2 rocket factory in the Mittelbau Dora subcamp. Installed the Buddha, along with
video from previous projects and a clip from JFK's Berlin speech. Results pending.
[Version I]
V2 rocket factory in the Mittelbau Dora subcamp. Installed the Buddha, along with
video from previous projects and a clip from JFK's Berlin speech. Results pending.
[Version I]
| video documentation of live vid mix by Stephen Ausherman, with James Black Artscrawl / "Abstracts" reception The Artspace at Creative Albuquerque November 18, 2011 |
