Video Goggles (aka. Head Mounted Displays) in art |
[this is not designed to be a comprehensive history of video goggles in art. If you are working with the technology and would like to be included on this page please feel free to contact us] |
The first head mounted display, or video goggles, were created by Ivan Sutherland in 1970 as part of his research into immersive technology. These first goggles took the form of a helmet shaped viewer designed to immerse the wearer in a simulated three dimensional virtual environment created by computers with the aim of presenting a convincing, navigable, habitable landscape. |
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Another pioneer in the use of virtual reality is Mark Reaney, founder of the Institute for the Exploration of Virtual Realities (i.e.V.R). In 1995 i.e.VR presented their first production, 'The Adding Machine' by Elmer Rice. For this show the audience wore video goggles which allowed them to see both the live actors and stereoscopic virtual scenery simultaneously. |
In recent years video goggles have become available as a consumer product and consequently the price has fallen to a level which makes them more readily affordable for experimental use by artists. |
Lara Thoms - Australia |
Lara has been engaged in collaborations working with video goggles for a number of years and is currently in development of her thrid video goggle piece. Links to Lara's work.
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In Char Davies' award winning work OSMOSE the immersant wears stereoscopic video goggles and a motion capture vest with a breathing and balance centre to enter a virtual environment in which a sounscape is affected by the motion of the body. |
Alexei Shulgin & Aristarkh Chernyshev - Russia |
Alexei and Aristarkh are the creators of The Matrix Goggles; video goggles with a camera mounted on top of them. The wearer of the goggles sees the view of the camera augmented through a series of electronic filters.
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Kazuhiko Hachiya - Japan |
Creator of 'Inter-discommunication-machine, a performance piece which involves two performers wearing video goggles with video cameras and microphones mounted on them. The machine projects one wearer's sight and sound perception of the environment into the other one's display, thus confusing the borders between the identities of 'you' and 'me'. |
Paul B Davis |
Paul B Davis undertakes a broad range of video related art works including the use of head mounted displays. |