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Inspiration
For his Master of Fine Arts thesis project Chris
was working on an artistic way to address the relationship between
nature and technology in the new field of biotechnology. How would
these technologies affect our everyday lives and our culture? What
was the most appropriate medium to use to talk about this?
Solution
A story can convey complex information in a comprehensible
and exciting way. This project tells a fictitious story about a
renegade biotechnology that is both menacing and transformative.
In 2035, a young researcher, named Franklin Landa, studies sparrows
and starlings whose brains are infected with this engineered virus.
The virus does not kill the birds, but instead, makes them more
intelligent.
To convey the complexity of Frank's experience, an interactive,
electronic journal containing animations, interactive graphics,
multilinear text, and many drawings was created. Sound engineer
from Philadelphia, Timothy Day, collaborated to create some of the
sounds.
Results
While The Flocking Party is only 5% 3D, it is
100% simulation. This 2D, interactive story-game, utilizes the dimensions
of narrative and hypertext to create an engaging experience. Four
months after its release, Chris was interviewed about The Flocking
Party on Michigan Public Radio by Richie Duchon. The story aired
on Artpod, MPR's stories about arts and culture in Michigan. Chris
continues to receive positive feedback from artists, designers,
and researchers.
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