November 26, 2007

Video Artist Adam Trowbridge Releases Open Source Video Code

Adam Trowbridge, a video artist and graduate student in Electronic Visualization at the University of Ilinois at Chicgo released the source code of his video "snstncntnrs" (standing for "sensation containers") as an open source video work. This innovative approach to video incorporates the concept of open source computer code and conceptual art of earlier decades. The EDL format is related to the technology that allows so-called "family friendly" DVD players to edit out scenes in Hollywood movies. Trowbridge has taken the technology as an opportunity to create open works. He is launching a website, www.snstncntnrs.org, to highlight works made using all or part of this source code. "I am interested in creative communication where people can collaborate without attempting to transmit an idea." said Trowbridge. "I am hoping this will spark a different form of interaction."

The source code was released in a format that allows anyone with access to video editing software to add their own video and create a new work, or to edit the code and create a different, related work. "It's really very open. The work is copyrighted under a Creative Commons license. Anyone can edit and use the work" said Trowbridge. The source code of the project is actually a list of cuts made to the source material. Using this list, either in Edit Decision List (EDL) format or in Final Cut Pro XML format people can connect Trowbridge's code to their own video. The video editing program will restructure the video based on his code and the resulting product and be exported as a final video.
"Hopefully this isn't a single work but the opportunity for multiple artists to approach video in a new way." said Trowbridge. "EDL is an older technology and people might have trouble using the files. Apple's Final Cut Pro XML is an open standard that makes it relatively simple to export the entire structure of the work. I think it's a new way of thinking about video and the relation of art to code."

Website:

http://www.snstncntnrs.org/

About Adam Trowbridge:

Adam Trowbridge is a video, text and eperiential artist focused on artistic research that fractures the intersection of sensation and cognition. Materially, his recent work has been in the form of sculpture, computer-driven installation and video. He holds a BFA in painting and sculpture from the University of Central Florida, where he studied under sculptor J—hann Eyfells. His work has been featured nationally and internationally including Anthology Film Archives, NYC; Experimental Film & Video Festival, Seoul, Korea; Secret Technology Show, San Francisco, CA; New Forms Festival, Vancouver, BC; Pleasure Dome, Toronto, Ontario; Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ; MicroCineFest, Baltimore, MD; and Square Eyes Festival, The Netherlands.

Media contact: for interviews, images and more information please contact Adam Trowbridge at atrowbri@gmail.com, 708 250 1014

The source video for this project is available on the website above and on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LzrjS3eUlE