Trojans of L5-4Gy, 8 x 55 inch plasma screens, projector, projection screen and plinth, reflective fabric material, video wall boxes and hdmi switcher/splitter, 2 x PCs.
Part two of the System Shocks series created at SpaceFest during the Cosmic Debris Residency at Greywood Arts is a multi-backlit screen and projector video installation, Trojans of L5-4Gy. The title refers to Lagrange point 5, in 4 billion years time. The works presents a flash forward into deep time as an artist's impression of simulating hypothetical anomalous events at locations called Trojan points. Gravitational balance at these points makes them relatively stable regions where objects can maintain their positions for extended periods.
A slow accumulation of human waste and junk could lead to unexpected formations or even chaotic events if triggered by gravitational shifts or impacts. Over time these points could build up and cause chain reactions and even Panspermia, the hypothesis that life can be spread by space dust, meteoroids, comets, spacecraft and even space junk on which microbial life could hibernate and travel massive distances over vast time periods after being flung out into space. Over long periods, cosmic radiation and other energetic particles might trigger unexpected chemical reactions among accumulated debris, potentially creating new compounds or even “mini-collisions” that release energy. A Trojan is also a type of virus so the work suggest an idea that through space junk even after humans disappear, life could spread like a virus over deep time through such objects.
The video installation is built from various post production methods including working with AI models and machine learning to help visualise space rocks and junk, debris collisions, chain reactions and anomalous events at these points in spacetime. Intense high speed timelapse layering combined with real-time feedback in Touchdesigner was used to suggest deep time. At SpaceFest this was an initial showing and it is planned to develop this experiential film further with sound, additional realtime control and extended sequencing so that the film never repeats exactly the same, updates frame ordering in realtime and even continuously generates. In it's current form the looped sequences do change order but the loops remain consistent. Also planned is presenting the work within a specialised projection space with transparent material panels and additional immersive sound. A video sample will be added here soon.
Many thanks goes to all contacts made during the residency including Alan GIltinan (MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory), Paul Callanan (UCC Crawford Observatory), Bruce Hannah (NSC), and all at Greywood Arts and the SpaceFest team.
