Face Shift is an experiment in algorithmic facial choreography. It is a play on the mirror symmetry of the human face, where each side of the face is controlled by an identical algorithm. However, one algorithm is executed slightly faster –over time– giving rise to shifting movement patterns from symmetry to asymmetry (and back again). Over the duration of the piece, the execution of the algorithms is slowly accelerated which results in facial expressions with a whole range of different emotional connotations.
Two DECtalk voice synthesis machines are deployed on each side of the face, calling out the identification numbers of the activated muscles.
Face Shift has been acquired by the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam for its permanent collection.
Note: Face Shift is part two of a two stage performance starting with Morphology and was first presented at the Slought Foundation in Philadelphia USA in 2005.
Year: 2005
Duration: 23:46
Co-author: Remko Scha
Pic Caption: Stills from Face Shift, Arthur Elsenaar.
Video: Ellen Zweig
Face Shift is an experiment in algorithmic facial choreography.