memory [en]code

memory [en]code is an interactive tabletop installation that visualizes the dynamic character of human memory in an interactive manner.

The installation is the result of a collaboration between interdisciplinary artist, Holly Schmidt and Uta Hinrichs, an engineer for computational visualistics. They explored different concepts of memory found in their respective disciplines of art and computer science as well as the fields of neuroscience, psychology and sociology.

The resulting installation, memory [en]code, invites participants to enter an immersive contemplative space where they will encounter a visualization of memory on a tabletop device. Here, participants can recall and share narratives of their memories. Entered on the tabletop interface, memories take on a cellular form that contains the entered text. These memories can be interacted with in a number of ways.

Participants can release and read the memories contained in the cells. They can also merge cells, thereby merging the memory narratives. Overtime the memories begin to shape one another becoming a collective memory of those that interacted with the system.

To read more about memory [en]code, see our publication. memoryencode

Holly Schmidt, Uta Hinrichs, Alan Dunning and Sheelagh Carpendale.  Memory [en[code –Building a Collective Memory within a Tabletop Installation.  In proceedings of Computational Aesthetics in Graphics, Visualization, and Imaging 2007 (CAe’07).  Eurographics Association, pages 135-142, June 2007.

Also visit the website of Uta Hinrichs at http://www.utahinrichs.de/