Experiments in Galvanism: Networked Chimera (Mouse)

Ace Art: Project Proposal

Introduction

This project plans for a miniature computer to be implanted into the dead body of a mouse specimen. This computer enables Internet users to trigger physical "twitching" in the corpse.

This proposal:

• describes the core concept of the project
• explains how the project will be realized
• presents strategies for completion of the project
• identifies theoretical implications of the work in relation to the translocal
• presents a timeline for project completion
• gives a project budget and summary of external funding sources
• references the artist's CV
• includes four (4) work samples that relate directly to this project.

Keywords: Internet, cybernetics, robotics, corporeality, physical avatar, suspended animation, visualization of network activity, network topology, miniaturization, telepresence, bioengineering, biomechatronics, technology and communication, chimera, Galvanism.

Project Description

Description: Core Concept

The aim of this research is to extend the artist's previous developments in micro-scale web servers [1] into the flesh of a preserved mouse body/specimen. Through the project, web users (participants) are able to physically "twitch" the corpse through hyperlinks stored in a series of four (4) microprocessors stored with the body of the cybernetic object.

Description: Project Realization

This project consists of three primary elements: a mouse-based robotic object with four miniature computers implanted into its body, a website which is actually stored in the memory of each tiny implanted computer, a streaming webcamera observing the entire mouse body, and a physical installation environment to house the mouse object for (optional) public viewing.

When operating, this system can be experienced from three distinct points of view: from the perspective of the implanted networked node (body interior, digital view), from the perspective of a streaming webcam viewing the "meta-mouse" system (body exterior, digital view) and by physically viewing the entire installation (body exterior, physical view).

Figure 2. Proposed view of "meta-mouse" system, exterior to the mouse body, viewed digitally via live streaming webcam. For a live demo of this webcam technology, view http://24.72.34.115/

Physically, the avatar object is suspended in a pool of formaldehyde solution, and twitches when activated by users through the implanted web server systems in each leg. The mouse object will reside in a container constructed out of glass, and a small hole in the top of the container will allow the passage of network cables (RJ-45) to the object.

Digital participants can only animate the mouse avatar in "twitches": no amount of activation will significantly mobilize the tethered mouse specimen. Furthermore, physical viewers of the system have no ability to control or manipulate the teleoperated device.

Beside viewing the entire mouse system through the streaming webcam, digital users are also able to gain access to the implanted web servers which reside in the mouse body. This data is accessed through a standard Internet browser or information appliance that can access a text-based web page: a personal computer connected to the Internet, a web-browsing digital telephone, or through a script on the command line of a server. Furthermore, multiple users can access and actuate the implanted nodes within object at the same time.

Figure 3. Implanted web content from a single node, actually stored on a microprocessor within the mouse body. Clicking on the "right hind leg" link makes the hind leg of the mouse physically twitch. The processor also collects and displays access data.

The digital participant actually views the website stored on the implanted web server: when somebody visits the project website, they are actually digitally residing inside the corpse of the installation object.

Because of the technical limitations of the server platform's memory, the system is technically only capable of holding a few dozen bytes of web page data. This simple embedded web page displays the word - "node3" - for example, a link to physically actuate the physical agent, and a counter that dynamically displays how many visits the system has received.

By clicking on the link, digital viewers make the mouse body twitch in the liquid-filled container of the physical installation.

Description: Project Feasibility

Although I am an emerging artist and the demands of this project are extensive, I am completely confident that I will be completed if commissioned. I have done considerable development on this project to date, and have deep external technical resources and collaborators.

Feasibility: Extensive Development To Date

As a starting point, it is important to note that the most technically demanding aspect of this project - the development and operation of the pill-sized micro web server - is already complete and has already been publicly exhibited. [2]

The mouse will contain four fully functional micro-scale web server as networked "brains", and is a continuation of my technical work in this area beginning in December 2000. Only occupying the physical volume of a small pill, the functional server serves standard web pages on the internet and enables users to activate auxiliary electric circuits via hyperlinks on the system's web pages.

It is also vital to note that I have been working as Artist-In-Residence at a Canadian Artist Run Center (Neutral Ground / Soil Digital Media Suite) and have done extensive development continuously on the technical and theoretical basis of this project since April 2002. The development work completed during the six month residency term has focused on refining the server technology to be more stable, robust, and gallery-friendly.

Funding has already been secured by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Saskatchewan Arts Board for this project. This money ($23,500 CAD - about $14,500 USD) has already been awarded, and has been partially used to enrich the technological aspects of the work. However, much of these funds are still available, and will be of key assistance in the professional delivery of this project.

Submersible "twitching actuators" have also been developed by the artist and tested.[5] For a video of this type of actuator in testing, view the following time lapse video:

Technically speaking, the main processor of the system is a Fairchild ACE1101 - a surface mount micro controller from Fairchild Semiconductor. This microchip is custom programmed as a web server and contains a single web page in its tiny on-chip memory. This chip runs a modified version of webAce, a special-purpose assembly code program written by Frederic M. White specifically for this microprocessor, initially developed in 1999 [3]. As a server, this code includes a custom TCP/IP "stack" and a method for the chip to connect to the Internet via a standard SLIP link. [4] The complete server also includes several other components beside the Fairchild ACE1101. Several other electronic subcomponents are included in the pill-sized package, including a voltage regulator, capacitors, and resistors. All of these parts are soldered "point-to-point" to each other: to get the smallest possible physical size, all components are assembled with cyanoacrylate glue and soldered directly to each other without the use of a printed circuit board.

Feasibility: Project Collaborators

The following individuals will act as technical resources for the completion of this project: [6]

• Dr. Tanya Dahms, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Regina: Ethics consultant, lab equipment supplies
• Curtis Hermanson, Electrician: Circuit/electrical assistance
• Professor P. B. Hertz, Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan: physics/mechanical troubleshooting
• Glen Hertz, BSc: Co-founder, Analog Design Automation: Low-level electrical troubleshooting/design
• Dr. Roger Hertz, Vice President / Head of Research and Development, CRS Robotics: Actuator assistance
• Andrew Kermes, BSc: Networking/routing assistance
• Frederic White, original author of the webAce miniature web server platform: assembly code modifications, embedded processor troubleshooting

Project Thematics

Theoretical implications of this work are diverse, including the disciplines of modern and historical medicine, computer science, theory of technology, communication and cyborg/machine culture [7] . As a basis for further research, two primary conceptual directions for exploration have been identified: the server as a physical object and historical "Galvanism".

Thematics: The Translocal (Server as Physical Object)

The concept and object of the server - the actual physical space in which web data inhabits - is a frequently neglected topic within the practice of net art. Typically, web servers are large refrigerator-sized computers; the net art which is stored on a server rarely has any conceptual concern over where the server resides, its properties as a physical object, and what context it has in relation to the conceptual basis of the piece.

The strategies of miniaturization and the positioning of the server within the corpse of a creature attempt to bring attention to the server as an object. The server-as-object - within the framework of the translocal - brings new light to the terminology.

The concept of topology-as-body is a theme which probes into the general discourses of telematic theory, the translocal, agency, cybernetics and the concept of avatar.

Theoretical links in this direction include the works of Stelarc [8] and the writings of Roy Ascott, Edward A. Shanken, and Andreas Broeckmann:

This public sphere will only come into being if there are complex forms of interaction, of participation and learning, that fully exploit the technical possibilities of the networks and that allow for new and creative forms of becoming present, becoming visible, becoming active, in short, of becoming-public. [9]

Thematics: Galvanism & Animal Electricity

Luigi Galvani (1737-1798) was an Italian physician and physicist famed for discovering "animal electricity" while working at the University of Bologna.[10] In a series of experiments around 1780, he discovered that the application of electrical current would animate the dead legs of a dissected frog. Upon the publishing of his discoveries, speculation between the disciplines of electricity, biology, chemistry and the humanities ensued. [11]

Figure 7. Etching of Galvani's experiments in animal electricity.

The popular Romanticist imagination was fearfully inspired by the possibility of post-mortem revival through electricity; cultural and scientific exploration of electricity and its correlation to life forms flourished. This exploration included the research of Alessandro Volta and Benjamin Franklin, literary works like Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and the public electric corpse performances of Giovanni Aldini.

Furthermore, the concept of Galvanism offers rich creative avenues of exploration. The Romanticist Physician-gone-wrong metaphor of "mad science" has the potential to combine the elements of humor, exploration and wonder into a potent probe through the multidisciplinary topics of metaphysics, Science (historical and contemporary), bioethical issues, the nature of knowledge, and the history of electricity and humankind.

Budget: Confirmed External Funding

• $16,000 CAD - The Canada Council for the Arts, Media Arts (New Media / Audio), Production

In addition to the above external funding, I am currently receiving $2,000 CAD per month from Soil Digital Media Suite (Neutral Ground Artist Run Centre and Gallery) for the research phase of this work. A studio space, networking, and technical facilities are also included for a nine month term, which lasts until December 2002.

Curriculum Vitae

• http://www.garnethertz.com

Work Samples

	Experiments in Galvanism   [2002 - current] WEEKLY LIVE WEBCASTS - JUNE 2002 through AUG 2002 - http://24.72.34.115/ A series of electro/biological experiments, primarily concerned with the construction of a bionic/golemic/galvanic earthworm with a miniature networked computer node within its body. Currently in progress.
	FLY (http://139.142.46.159)   [2001] Fly with implanted webserver, as exhibited at the Mendel Art Gallery (Canada) from June 1 to September 3rd, 2001.
	Topologies   [2000] Making network topologies and operating system architectures visible. Simple, hand-sketched diagrams. Conceptual references include I/O/D's Web Stalker.
	Interface   [1995 - 1996] Documentation archive of telerobotic webmachine project. Includes writings on 'Reality Interface', 'Technological Correctness' and telerobotics. Documents include machine control interface, process information, and images of the webmachine.

Conclusion

Simply put, I would ask that you strongly consider supporting this project. This project is conceptually demanding, technically innovative and presentation of it at ACE would be a highlight of my career: I would be ecstatically grateful for the opportunity.

Endnotes