I wish I could be at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo but alas, I can’t. In person. But I could be telepresent; that is, to give the appearance that I’m present or have an effect at a location other than the one I’m physically in. This is no new concept, but it is an integral part of an exhibition at the Expo by Graham Smith and Christina Smith of Cybercity Ruhr.
The exhibition allows for robots to be manually controlled and manoeuvred through tiny streets. They can be controlled ‘locally’, over a game step pad, or ‘world wide’, over the internet. This enables the viewer to explore the environment as a pedestrian would, without actually being there.
Generally, the exhibition explores urbanism, spatial needs, interactivity with urban and built environments, identity and cultural exchange. But personally, ides of community, isolation and alienation are key.
For more info have a look HERE.
