Phosphortron, a video instrument that simulates the phosphor trails found in analog cathode ray tube (CRT) oscilloscopes and television monitors, co-created with Eric Souther is now available for free download at:  https://github.com/EricSouther/Phosphortron

Phosphortron uses a computer vision technique called frame difference, which compares the current frame versus the previous frame and analyzes change based on a threshold pixel by pixel. The trail duration function controls how long previous information stays on screen before fading away the simulated phosphors. Edge detection is utilized in conjunction with frame difference, to isolate and accentuate the outlines to loosen the raster image towards the simulated aesthetics of vector drawing.

The Mac and Pc Build is also available as open source at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/egyknqgwfl8f2ww/Phosphortron.app.zip?dl=0

screen capture – simulated phosphor trails using Phosphortron app

I’ll be a researcher-in-residence at Signal Culture during March 2019, where I’ll be continuing my research on a media art history of phosphor. The system at Signal Culture is home to a number a number of unique video tools and synthesizers including a Hearn, Wobbulator and a one-of-a-kind Jones Raster Manipulator. I’ll also be investigating the temporality of phosphor persistence using Phosphortron, an app co-created with Eric Souther, which simulates  phosphor trails in real-time.

still from “Tony Conrad Painting in Cologne” (2006)

Tony Conrad Later Works in Video, 1989-2011, co-curated with Anna Scime, will be on view at ICA Philadelphia as part of “Introducing Tony Conrad: A Retrospective” from February 1 – August 11, 2019.

still from “Grading Tips for Teachers” (2003), Tony Conrad

Tony Conrad Later Works in Video, 1989-2011, co-curated with Anna Scime is on view at the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Harvard University as part of “Introducing Tony Conrad: A Retrospective” October 18, 2018 – January 6, 2019

“Responsive Aesthetics: Remediating Digital-to-Analog Television Converters as Artist Tools,” a paper I co-wrote with Jason Bernagozzi and Eric Souther, has been published in the October 2018 issue of the  Journal of Artistic Research. The paper focuses on our research and conversion of a digital-to-analog converter box into a real-time datamoshing tool (pictured above)

All Rise (2012) Liberate Tate

I will be presenting a paper entitled “Live Video Witnessing as an Affective Aesthetic” at the Capacious: Affect Inquiry / Making Space Conference in August 2018.

Documentation of performances by Karen Donnellan, Jessica Earle and Tamara Porras from Videotheque screening and performance event at Alfred University, Friday, July 27, 2018

Karen Donnellan

Jessica Earle

Tamara Porras

Videotheque: Screening and Performances
Friday, July 27, 2018 at 8 PM – 10 PM
Holmes Auditorium, Alfred University
curated by Jessica Earle and Laura McGough

Videotheque program notes

A screening and performance event featuring video and animation by Barbara Lattanzi, Andrew Deutsch, Matthew Underwood, Pearl Salas, Kat Reisling, Brian Murphy and more. Sound performances by Jessy Earle, Mike Haleta, Sei Harris, Tamara Porras and Karen Donnellan.

I will be presenting two evenings of work by Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center as part of its programming celebrating filmmaker and video artist Tony Conrad: “Tony Conrad: Public Access Collaborations” on March 27 and “Tony Conrad: New York Underground” on April 24.

I will be presenting a paper entitled “From Shadows on the Screen to Performative Projection: Towards a Live Cinema” at the Society for Cinema & Media Studies Conference in Toronto in March 2018.