Interface I investigates the boundary between two interacting systems rendered into the physical. Each system is a compound of motors, strings, and elastic bands arranged horizontally. The two units face each other vertically (one on the top, one on the bottom). Each motor of one level (top, bottom) is connected to its opponent with a string, meeting in the center. Both motors pull their string in the opposite direction (like in a tug of war). At the junction of the strings, a mesh of elastic bands connects the string to its neighbors. The mesh couples each element to its surrounding elements in order to achieve a local emergent behavior.

In order to excite (stimulate) the system’s behavior, each motor is fed with random impulses of different pulling strengths. Random signals are taken from a number of Geiger-Müller tubes used as an entropy source. The Geiger-Müller tubes pick up the natural ambient radiation of the earth. This noise acts as a catalyst that enables the systems to change.

As the process begins the systems start to negotiate an interface/boundary surface (Grenzfläche) between two separate organizations. The behavior of this system is not programmed or choreographed, the shapes and behavior develop due to the interactions of the many individual elements. Depending on the force distribution of the opposed motors, units move either upwards or downwards. At the same time, the overall forces of the neighboring elements influence this movement and vice versa.

Interface investigates complex interactions of entities in some kind of encapsulated model space. Complex and emergent behavior appears at different scales and in different realms, ranging from biology, social science, computer science, and anthropology to economics and politics. By taking away any references to something in the world, Interface allows manifold interpretations. The installation takes a closer look at the construction of digital images. Here the focus is on the relation of the almost infinite fast signals/switching operations in the materials of the machine and the stable/static/ordered appearing images on the outside. Interface removes the distinction between process and display (output) by making the display (the mesh or rubber bands) the crucial part that defines the outcome of the process (behavior).

Interface investigates complex interactions of entities in some kind of encapsulated space. Complex and emergent behaviour appears at different scales and in different realms, ranging from biology, social science, computer science, anthropology to economics and politics . By taking away any references to something in the world, Interface allows manifold interpretations. The installation takes a closer look at the construction of digital images. Here the focus is on the relation of the almost infinite fast signals/switching operations in the materials of the machine and the stable/static/ordered appearing images on the outside. Interface removes the distinction between process and display (output) by making the display (the mesh or rubber bands) to the crucial part that defines the outcome of the process (behaviour).