Vast Body

Vincent Morisset and Caroline Robert
Vast Body is a collaborative experiment on movement. In front of a camera, different people were invited to imagine and embody a wide spectrum of postures that the system can perceive and understand. In the installation, a myriad of alter egos continuously try to replicate the movements of the person facing it. Interpreting your behavior, the software distills this continually changing input into a projection of a body that moves fluidly with yours, yet fluctuates continuously between different bodies and identities. The experience is a playful, visually arresting act of imagination. Through some kind of magic mirror, it connects the physical body with a digital incarnation, offering the chance to briefly inhabit another through movement. The work draws on timely questions of identity, empathy and our relationship with other-than-human intelligences.

Credits

Direction: Vincent Morisset and Caroline Robert Main choreographies: Louise Lecavalier, Kathy Casey and Caroline Robert Creative coding and machine learning : Édouard Lanctôt-Benoit Camera and grading: Thierry Sirois (Club Vidéo) Production manager: David Francke-Robitaille (Club Vidéo) Production: Vincent Morisset, AATOAA Featuring: Louise Lecavalier, Rachel Harris, Caroline Robert, Louise Bédard, Marc Béland, Shraddha Danielle Blaney, Valérie Chartier, Karla Étienne, Paul-André Fortier, Elinor Fueter, Claude Godbout, Lucie Grégoire, Liven Lamothe, Patrick Lamothe, Yuma Lamothe, Mia Lapierre Poirier, Robert Meilleur, Linda Rabin, Janne Rieu, Romie Rieu, George Stamos, Philip Szporer.

Vincent Morisset and Caroline Robert

Vincent Morisset and Caroline Robert, from studio AATOAA in Montreal, are known for their works which combine craftsmanship and technology. In each of their projects, visitors are invited to become participants. These experiences put into perspective our relationship with others and the way we look at the world around us. The astonishing universe of Caroline and Vincent is embodied in different forms (interactive videos, installations in public spaces, XR, net art). In the past, they have collaborated artistically with Arcade Fire, Skrillex and Sigur Rós. Their creations have been presented at the Venice Biennale, Sundance, SXSW and Japan Media Art Festivals. They have been the recipient of an Emmy Award, a Grammy and several Webbys.