The article provides a comprehensive overview of the history, techniques, and applications of computer vision in the interactive media arts. It is interesting to see how artists have used computer vision to create novel and expressive experiences, such as Myron Krueger’s Videoplace, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s Standards and Double Standards, and David Rokeby’s Sorting Daemon. The article also explains some of the basic algorithms and tools for implementing computer vision, such as frame differencing, background subtraction, brightness thresholding, and object tracking. I find these algorithms useful and inspiring for my own projects, as they enable me to detect and analyze the movements and gestures of people and objects in real time.
Messa di Voce by Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman was very interesting to me. This is an audiovisual performance that uses computer vision to track the locations of the performers’ heads and analyze the sounds they produce. The system then generates graphics that are projected from the performers’ mouths, creating a dynamic and expressive dialogue between sound and image. I think this artwork is a creative and engaging example of how computer vision can augment and transform human communication and expression.
I found Cheese by Christian Möller pretty funny. This is an installation that uses computer vision to measure the sincerity of the smiles of six actresses. The system uses an emotion recognition algorithm to detect the changes in the facial expressions of the actresses, and alerts them when their smiles fall below a certain threshold. I think this artwork is a humorous and critical commentary on the social and cultural expectations of happiness and beauty, as well as the limitations and biases of computer vision.