The Bridge of Simulacrum (Formerly, Anamorphic Dualities)

Created By Daniel Phelps, this piece of digital art that utilizes an inverted LED screen mounted under a bridge that connects two buildings. This “Media Bridge” is located on the Georgia Tech campus, connecting Clough and Crossland towers. This anamorphic piece will eventually incorporate user tracking to give audiences a “holographic” effect, converting the structure’s material properties from steel and concrete to glass and polish, revealing a simulation of the inhabitants within.

Dualities is a real-time simulated anamorphic work meant to provide spectacle and pause for the viewer as they consider what is seen and un-seen. As the audience passes from north to south, looking up into the covered footbridge, Dualities converts the structure’s material properties from steel and concrete to glass and polish, revealing a Simulacra of the inhabitants within. These simulated inhabitants change throughout the day, with each perspective providing more insight into this simulated space. Consisting of three different forced perspectives, the audience must explore the space beneath the Media Bridge to find the correct perspective, and as they discover their place in this world, the simulation comes into view. The simulation depicts scenes from the boring to the surreal to the absurd, each creating commentary on the next. Nature slowly takes over the simulated space with plants growing and wild and domesticated animals making a home all while avatars walk past the natural. Slowly the human avatars are replaced completely by fauna. This fauna is then replaced by absurdist imagery in the form of motor vehicles using the Bridgeway to deteriorate the natural scene. This animated piece will run from 7pm-12pm on the media bridge at Georgia Tech. The simulation will follow the sun and slowly transform into night. 

Finding inspiration from notable quadratura artist Andrea Pozzo, Dualities is only one of many artworks that have emerged from my long-running investigation into Illusionism in art history.