Virtual Aquarium by András Négyessy is an interactive multimedia installation that explores the tension between reality and virtuality through a combination of real-time video manipulation, textual interaction, and sound. Drawing inspiration from Heinrich von Kleist’s play Amphitryon, the work delves into themes of identity and illusion. It creates a “time and space labyrinth” where visitors and online users engage in a dynamic exchange mediated by technology, mirroring the play’s exploration of duplicity and self-recognition.
The installation connects a physical space (the installation room) with a web-based interface, enabling communication and interaction between participants in both domains. A camera captures the visitor’s image, which is transmitted to the website, where users can manipulate it. This modified image is then projected back into the installation room. This interaction serves as a “mirror” or “prism,” blurring the lines between the real and the virtual, and creating an emotional and sensory experience akin to the disorienting perspective of a fish in an aquarium. The system incorporates a chat function that facilitates dialogue between participants. If one side is inactive, an automated server program initiates interaction by posing questions or providing responses inspired by Amphitryon. Users also have the ability to distort video imagery, divide and manipulate the screen into sections, and trigger effects such as laughter in the installation room. By enabling participants to alter and respond to each other’s projections, Virtual Aquarium examines how human identity and perception are shaped and reflected within a virtual framework, inviting reflection on the boundaries between self, other, and technology.
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