CodeZebra
"CodeZebra" (2002) is a kind of chat in a visual 3D space. It was developed by Sara Diamond as a V2_lab-project, and shown in the DEAF03-exhibition.
CodeZebra is an entirely new kind of chat in a visual 3-D space. Using animal print metaphors in its design and functionality, CodeZebra depicts relationships and navigation between individuals, groups, conversations and topics. Its pattern recognition function is a new way to visualize the herds that naturally converge around ideas.
The weaknesses of existing chats become frustratingly apparent once a large number of people begin to interact, generating undirected lines of equivalent, unfiltered, two-dimensional text. Message boards fall prey to the same deficiencies.
The CodeZebra chat software provides a 3-dimensional visual guide to what is being said, by whom and with what emotional tones. CodeZebra creates a dynamic visual depiction of the underlying associations between related topics and issues. It suggests games and discussion structures to enable rich synchronous and asynchronous conversations while its funky, evolving patterns inspire us to communicate with each other in an exciting new way.
Chat software connects communities
CodeZebra has the potential to converge large chat communities by helping participants form their own packs based on interests, emotions and manner of interaction. CodeZebra is a background OS software that can be adapted to different types of content, different communities, situations and different visual metaphors.
The convergence of art and science is the hottest area of research in interactive media today
CodeZebra is a forum for convergence of art and science. Its marketing encompasses Live Performance Club Events, SoftWear (clothing fabric printed from chat patterns), Video and Television, Publication and Research.
Convergent context
Interstitial videos use comments and interviews with leading scientists and artists to stimulate debate about the future of science and its provocative implications in our lives. These interstices drive audiences from TV to the web and back again harnessing the spectacle of television to create meaningful two-way communication. After all, CodeZebra is at the cutting edge of advanced chat technology and the relevant discussion of how this craft should be used.
More: http://www.codezebra.net/
Credits for CodeZebra Habituation Cages and Software:
Sara Diamond, lead artist and designer derives great pleasure from leading a team comprised of talented computer scientists, designers and programmers in GB, USA, Canada and Europe and Brazil.
Collaborators include Sheelagh Carpendale, University of Calgary (visualization); Sha Xin-Wei, Georgia Institute of Technology (smart materials); Susan Jenkin-Jones, Central Saint Martin’s (design); Patrick Crowe (producer); Ghislaine Boddington and Andrew Chetty, Future Physical (event curators), Andrew Salway, University of Surrey, (artificial intelligence); Marcelo Walter (visualization); Richard Lachman and Kevin Liang, Banff (JAVA, chat and visualization programmers); Gaspar Bendick (C3 Games Designer); Nick Ryan (composer); Susan Kennard (audio designer), Chris Salter (T-Garden); Richard Fiore (graphic designer; Mark Kolodi (Flash programmer). The first prototypes were built by John Tonkin and Joshua Portway.
V2_Lab: Artem Baguinski (server side and client side software); Stephan Drescher (database programmer); Anne Nigten (manager); Erik Kemperman (artificial intelligence); Lenno Verhoog (visuals).
The Habituation Cages are produced by DEAF and V2_: Gabriëlle Anceaux, Martin Taminiau and the DEAF team.
Sponsors/Funding for CodeZebra has included Culture 2000, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Canada Council, Arts Council of England, Daniel Langlois Foundation, Telefilm Canada, South East Arts , Arts Alliance, BBC, CBC, The Banff Centre, University of Calgary, The Rockefeller Foundation; SmartLab Centre, V2_, C3, Shinkansen, University of Turku, UNISINOS, SIGGRAPH, Alberta Science and Research Authority, DFAIT Canada.
This project has been carried out with the support of the European Community. The content of this project does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community, nor does it involve any responsibility on the part of the European Community.
