ABOUT VITRUVIAN PERSON

This work makes visible the sociological, neurological, and psychological aspects of being human.

Themes of science fiction are realized by combining design technology from the medical device industry, handcrafted machine-learning algorithms, and the traditional art of casting metal. The project focuses on the value and beauty found in the diversity of our species and the meaning of “knowing” each other and ourselves.

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“I want to find new ways for us to see each other and ourselves.” -Samuel Stubblefield

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PROCESS:

A. Individuals are filmed and 3D body-scanned while wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG).

Each person’s brainwaves are recorded during the filming and scanning, yielding massive amounts of brainwave data.

B. Each subject’s brainwave data is analyzed by a custom machine-learning algorithm.

C. Brainwave data is used to manipulate the geometry of the subjects' 3D body scans, visibly expressing each subject's unique mind and psychological state.

The artist has used a similar process to create generative music in real-time in collaboration with Grammy-award-winning musical artists, as well as vocalists from The Brooklyn Youth Chorus and The New York Metropolitan Opera.

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PRESENTED BY

Cynthia Reeves, Cynthia Reeves Gallery

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SPECIAL THANKS

Ethan Rainbolt, Studio Technical Lead

G.Tec Neurotechnology GmbH. and the Unicorn Black team

The Smithsonian Institution

Michael Murphy and MASS Design

Maurice Morales, photography assistance

Jahanara Nares, brain science research assistance

UAP (www.uapcompany.com)

Diane Berkun-Menaker and The Brooklyn Youth Chorus (musical contribution for exhibition and performance at The Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Museum in New York)

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CARBON OFFSET PROMISE

Construction of this work comes with a carbon offset of 200% of the carbon cost of producing the work.

Carbon offsets are assessed and managed by Terrapass (www.terrapass.com).