PROJECT PROPOSAL
SOUND/IMAGE
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2003

Synopsis
Three-dimensional analogue of a digital display: pixels of light in a threedimensional lattice, bounded by a cube. The points of light will be the tips of fiberoptic cable, whose other end is illuminated by a digital projector to send light through the cable. These points of light will be arrayed throughout the cube and will display three-dimensional images within the cube, like a three-dimensional computer screen. The data to be displayed will be generated on the computer with software I am writing and are mapped to the fiber-optic cable via a digital projector.

The display will be low resolution, with only 11 pixels in each direction spanning three feet. Compare this to about a thousand pixels in about ten inches on a computer screen. These 11 pixels are about the resolution this uppercase 'O'. As a result the three-dimensional objects will be ephemeral in solidity, relying on our ability to discern the shape of a square just from seeing dots at its four corners. The larger the object, the more shapeliness it will inherit. See display mode two of the demonstration software.

The music will be minimal in nature. Written for a trio of violins, the performers will surround the cube in an equilateral triangle. Interesting to me is the fact that as one wanders around the cube, one can view the objects therein with changing perspective. Much the same way, I want the viewer to be able to move in a threedimensional space of sound, towards and away from each violin as she walks around the exhibit. Here we have a sharing of perspective between the visual and sonic aspects of the art. The music will be a combination of written and improvisation, with the performers being able to direct their own part through a series of modular motives.

Technical Abstract
We need to map an abstract three-dimensional set of data on the computer onto a three-dimensional lattice of pixels in a cube in the real-world. I am doing this by mapping each end onto a common two-dimensional surface, which each end, the computer and the display, will share. This two-dimensional surface is a grid of squares, each resembling one of the three-dimensional pixels. The squares will be the color and intensity of the desired pixel. Each fiber optic strand will begin at one of these squares, and hence convey the light from the square to its respective pixel in the three-dimensional cube. See display modes two and three to see the mapping from the three-dimensional data to the two-dimensional communication medium.

Object
3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. cube-screen
11 x 11 x 11 pixel resolution

Materials
Fiber-optic cable (8000+ ft.)
Digital Projector
Computer
Cube-Screen Software

Performance
Centered in dark room.
Three violinists surround in equilateral triangle.
Looping video of about five minutes.
45 minutes of music, written but conducted by performers.

Cost
I gratefully request any financing of this project that may be possible. Depending on the width of the fiber-optic cable used, the cost varies between $400 and $800, for .75 mm and 1 mm thick cable, respectively. The 1 mm cable is preferred, so I would ask for approximately $800 to cover the cost of the cables. This cable must be ordered soon, though, so I can begin on the construction of this object. Any information about budgeting would be appreciated. Thank you.