A 16’ by 27’ video monitor is suspended from a traveling armature that glides along the periphery of the new glass building. The 100’ high structure moves very slowly along the outer contour of the building, guided on tracks at the parapet and soffit. A live video camera back–to–back with the monitor points into the crowded pre–function space on the second level and transmits live feed to the monitor facing the street. The apparatus slowly scans the façade and broadcasts activity inside the lobby to the street. Fictional, pre–recorded video programs that appear to be live are randomly substituted (virtual transparencies into a fictional office building, hotel, and lobby space during the natural course of day and night activities). While the live image naturally corresponds with the speed and direction of the scanning motion, the pre–recorded programs are constructed to simulate the same speed. Thus, actual building occupants and actual interior spaces are confused with pre–recorded impostors. As such, the apparatus could be seen as scanning device, a magnifying lens, a periscope (a camera at a high elevation looks toward the city), and as an instrument of deception substituting impostors for actual building occupants and spaces. One round trip takes 45 minutes. Facsimile was a collaboration with Ben Rubin of Ear Studios and Mark Hansen.
Video Still
