Envisioning Sweden
Robert Willim writes to tell us about his wonderful-looking Surreal Scania project and wonders if there might be some surreal connection to another Swedish vizualization project? (I think so.)
“The films can be seen as comments to process of place marketing and branding. In choosing the places, the aim has been to mix both geographical locations that are seen as tourist attractions and locations off the beaten track. In the digital manipulations, made by Anders Weberg, the visual raw material is transformed to highlight a dreamlike and surreal imaginary geography. All films are based solely on sound and video from the different geographical points…
All the films are accompanied with files containing the exact geographical coordinates for all the different places. By using Google Earth it is possible to view aerial photos of the points represented in the different films. Using a GPS-unit it is also possible to visit the locations where the visual raw material was shot. And as the films are provided in various file formats optimized for most mobile video players, it is possible to enjoy the filmic representations on the very spots where the material was filmed. In this way the imaginary can be compared to the real. But what is real or imaginary? With Surreal Scania we want to explore different visual representation techniques, and we also want to recognise the fact that our imagination has an important role in forming the experiences of these locations.
Like in Fahlström’s work, the capacity for these spaces to overflow themselves is quite interesting. And this ‘geographical’ excess gets reflected back to us again in different shapes, but always as the same location.
Now I hope Robert will indulge me and tell us a little more about the cultural aspects of the project. I’m especially interested in what the films explore in terms of spatial memories or histories, and how our technological imaginations layer places with new meanings…Any thoughts?
February 21st, 2006 at 3:22 am
With surreal scania we have tried to look into some different representation techniques/technologies, or different ways to mediate a place. I think it’s interesting to compare Google Earth´s panoptical fly overs with the more subjective / dream like sequences that are represented by the short video films. I think this raises questions about perspective but it also gives me associations to Bruno Latour´s thoughts about panopticon vs oligopticon that he presents in “Paris invisible”. Oligopticon is a surveillance technique characterized by detailed views of different places and scenarios. I think in a way our video films can represent an oligoptical viewpoint, compared to the panopticon of GE´s satellite photos.
I guess that it’s also possible to connect the project to Arjun Appadurai’s (Fredric Jameson-inspired) thoughts about “armchair nostalgia”, which is nostalgic feelings without actual memories.
And I also like to twist the ideas about augmented reality visualization techniques… many are talking about military applications like head mounted displays etc. etc. But what is really an augmented reality?