HyperScape is an exploration of similarity, difference, order and chaos.
The installation comprises 8 compact Macintosh computers. There are 4 Macintosh Classic IIs, 2 Macintosh Colour Classics, a Macintosh SE and a Macintosh Classic all running a software program written with HyperCard and AppleScript.
The computers make very simple manipulations to the screen image. The image gets progressively more complex and the operation overlap. One computer makes decisions about what alterations to make to the displayed image and tells the others what to do. However, there is a 1 in 20 chance of each of the other computers not obeying. Gradually this introduces variations into the images. Despite these variations, there remains a discernible similarity between the images.
At first there seems to be 8 identical computers displaying the same images.But the more you examine the installation the more you become aware of layer upon layer of variation. The Colour Classics have colour displays where as all the others have monochrome displays and none of the screens display the images exactly the same. There are differences in image brightness, shape and hue. Even specimens of the same model of computer have variations in casing, wear and tear etc. The more you look, the more you can see.
This work would not have been possible without the invaluable help from the team at Redundant Technology who supplied the hardware and enthusiasm. Thanks to Jim, Tam, Richard and especially Ed.
Redundant Technology also run Access Space, a free, open access computer resource using open source software.
Richard Bolam
Hyperscape 1 was first shown at the Workstation in Sheffield, Oct/Nov 03.