Retinal Memory Volume 'Retinal Memory Volume' is an interactive installation that builds sculpture using the biological mechanisms of the viewers eyesight. During the experience the viewers eyes both construct, then erode the form. The patented retinal after-image process can be considered as a form of printing or photography, where the retina replaces the paper or light sensitive film. The object is created from the absence of photopigments in the eye. Developed with the support from the University of Wales Optometry department, the work was commissioned by EMAF and first exhibited in 1997 at the Osnabrueck Media Arts Festival . Described as a classic in its field, 11 years since its creation the installation is still touring the museums and festivals of the world. Latest show was at SESC Mostra Festival, Sao Paulo 2008. installation_history_& interview

1. Viewer enters a dark room, sits upon a dimly lit chair.
   Their attention focuses on a small red LED in front of them.
2. With an interval of 10 seconds between each emission there are 3 flashes of light emitted from photographic flash guns placed 1.5m in front of the viewer.
3. A 3-Dimensional retinal after-image of a chair (consisting of three fluid colours) is formed within the viewer.
4. After a further 10 seconds a strobe light comes on, lighting up a corner of the installation room. This light amplifies the effects of the retinal after-image and due to the optical phenomenon of Emmert´s law* the chair is perceived to change scale. The chair, consisting of three changing colours, is perceived to be life size resting upon the floor of the installation room.

"The sculpture is like a solid presence, more real than a memory. It is like an object in a dream, yet your eyes are open."

As the work is formed inside the viewer, documentation of the sculpture is impossible. The work allows people to observe their own eyesight, and asks the question, at which point does perception end and memory begin ?

* Emmerts Law: After-images appear larger the more distant the screen on which they appear to lie. They (nearly) double in size with each doubling of distance.

A miniature version of this artwork is now in the permenant collection of the Phaeno Museum, Wolfsburg, Germany.

Technical Requirements.

The installation takes 1.5 days to install.
The installation fits into 2 small boxes weighing a total of 25Kg and can be sent by post.
The installation requires a small blackened installation room to be built. 4M X 3M. Diagrams available.
Once set up the installation is completely reliable, needs no maintenance and can even turn itself on & off each day with a timing unit.

See plan diagram of installation