The Listening Post
By: Ben Rubin and Mark Hansen
http://modes.io/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Listening-Post-Wall-2.jpg
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Listening Post originally stood out to me because of the authors strong opinions of why it was not considered true “interactive art”. Huhtamo says its not interactive art because those experiencing the installment do not actually interact with it. They simply listen to the segments of messages displayed on the screens. I do agree that it is not very interactive for those experiencing Listening Post, but it does create an interesting experience. The random messages played are taken from random chat rooms on the internet in real time. I think it is interactive because those listening to the messages have a connection to the person who wrote the message. They are able to get a perspective of what people are talking about, feeling, and saying at that very moment. This stood out to me because this installation can physically display a small glimpse of all of the people communicating on the internet.
As we discussed in class, I think it is interesting that this piece stretches the definition of "interactive" art. Because when I think of Interactive art, the first thing I think is that the viewer is also the one interacting. But in the case of this piece, The viewer is not interacting, instead the people interacting are completely unaware that they are even creating a work of art.
I would have to agree with you and the author. This piece is hard to define as interactive from just a listeners perspective because there is no physical or mental interaction between the observer and the piece. On the other had, those involved in the chat room would be the interaction of the piece but they are not an observer.