Digital Art Explained: Timecode

On view:
July 20 – 21, 2024

Artists:
Nate Mars and Mike Patrick

Location:
PS21
2980 Route 66
Chatham, NY

Timecode is an interactive artwork that invites visitors to explore the subjectivity of time through a unique and engaging experience. Created by the collaborative duo Pressure + Time, Nate Mars and Mike Patrick, Timecode transforms the concept of time into a tactile and visual journey.

I met Nate Mars during Upstate Art Weekend, where he was showcasing Timecode as part of the exhibition called Enchanted Ecologies at PS21. The exhibition featured a range of visual and aural works inspired by the Hudson Valley. Each piece was created with nature as a collaborator, not just an inspiration, aiming to ignite wonderment at Mother Nature.

For Timecode, the organic collaborators of the sonic interactive installation are the visitors themselves. Nate is particularly fascinated by engaging with sound, visual elements, and organic life. “We are all energy, and it’s interesting to think about bringing that to the art directly,” he says. This philosophy is at the core of Timecode, encouraging visitors to become active participants in the artwork.

The Inspiration Behind Timecode

When asked what inspired the creation of Timecode and the exploration of the passing of time, Nate explained, "I have always been fascinated with time. There are so many layers and different ways of thinking about it. For example “clock time” generally guides people on a day-to-day basis across the globe but it is also interesting to think about time on a much broader scale and the different ways we perceive the passing of seasons or years to the ways we can observe layers in rocks that mark millions of years. Additionally, based on lifespan and other factors it is often thought that animals and plants may perceive the passing of time differently than humans. For Timecode, we were inspired by some of the key elements that mark the passing of time in nature; before people universally agreed on defining seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and months etc.”

Mike added, “Underlying this, Timecode explores the relationship between birth and death, life and decay and everything in between. Time is filled with growth, experiences, and change. This continuum underscores the transient nature of existence and the passage of time. Sometimes as humans we forget that one simple action can lead to many different outcomes.”

Nate concluded, “Most importantly Timecode draws the user to be in the present moment; which is always the most challenging. Many people tend to either think most about the past or the future but being truly present calls the mind to work and think differently.”

The Interactive Experience

Nate, primarily a musician and sound designer, recently ventured into interactive pieces. He drew inspiration from historical timekeeping methods, such as the Greek water clock, where time was measured by water dripping from one vessel to another.

This interactive piece consists of three parts—an alarm clock, flowers in a vase, and a bowl of water. Each triggers different audiovisuals on an old-school television screen, offering distinct meditations on time.

For those who are curious how the piece actually works – Timecode utilizes the Playtron made by a company called Playtronica. It allows you to connect to any objects that are conductive and send a MIDI signal. Small wires are attached to the clock, flower, and water that trigger a MIDI signal when touched by a person to complete the circuit. The MIDI signal then triggers the video elements created by Mike along with Nate's sonic elements.

Mike explained their collaborative process: “The visual components were created first though conceptualization then execution. We came together to discuss our overall concept then I crafted unique visuals to match. I draw inspiration from life experiences. Working in film for seven years then transitioning to medicine has allowed me to use my previous career as an outlet for the beauty and chaos I experience on a daily basis. This aspect can be seen in every one of my creations.”

Human Conductors and Visitor Interaction

The interactive elements of Timecode transform visitors into active participants. By touching a strip of metal band, an alarm clock, a flower, and a bowl of water in various combinations, visitors trigger different images on a TV screen. The human touch acts as a conductor, bringing the artwork to life and highlighting the subjective nature of time.

When asked about the use of human conductors, Nate said, “We have worked on other installations together that did not have an interactive element. For Timecode, we really wanted to try something with an interactive element and we also thought this aspect of the work would aid people in being more present as they need to take action to experience it.”

During the guided tour of the show, visitors interacted with Timecode collectively, holding hands to activate the piece. This generated a sense of connection and shared experience, emphasizing the communal nature of time. If one person let go of the group, the audiovisual effects stopped.

Nate shared memorable reactions from visitors: “It was really interesting to observe the way kids and adults interacted with Timecode. A lot of kids were coming up and sort of frantically touching each object quickly to trigger the visual and sonic elements while many adults took their time with each one and waited for the full visual elements triggered by each object to play through. The latter is what we initially intended. I wonder if it also has something to do with the way kids experience time and a desire to experience a lot of new things quickly. I remember being in school and feeling like 1 year took “forever.” It just felt so long. Now as an adult, sometimes a year seems to pass in the blink of an eye.”

Upcoming Projects

Nate also mentioned his upcoming album, set to release later this month. “Beyond the collaborative work Mike and I create as Pressure + Time, I am primarily a musician. I have a new album coming out in late August that draws inspiration from a lot of the 90s rave scene and my own experience growing up in it. I have also been very deeply moved by acid house and the sound of the TB-303, a synthesizer that can be used in a lot of different ways to create really interesting melodic lines, basslines or add hypnotic aspects to songs. This album also builds on some previous work of mine and an EP I had released last year called Out of the City. I look forward to sharing that with you along with some other new interactive art projects Mike and I are working on soon.”

Reflecting on Time

The act of physically interacting with the artwork, combined with changing visuals and sounds, creates a deeply personal encounter with the concept of time. It encourages visitors to ponder their interaction with time in the present moment — is it well-organized like an alarm clock, fluid like water, or organic and natural like a flower?

The Clock: A quintessential symbol of timekeeping, when touched the clock triggers an array of visual and auditory responses that reflect the mechanical, precise and relentless march of time. As you interact with The Clock, consider how structured time influences your daily life and schedule.
The Flower: Representing natural cycles and the organic flow of time, the flower blooms and wilts in response to touch. This delicate interaction evokes the rhythm of seasons, growth and decay. Perhaps contemplate the natural, cyclical nature of time as it manifests in life, death and rebirth.
Water: Symbolizing fluidity and change, water responds to touch by creating ripples and waves. This interaction highlights the ever-changing elusive nature of time. Just as water flows and shifts, so too does our experience of time sometimes calm and steady, other times turbulent and rapid.

Timecode is a remarkable exploration of the subjectivity of time. By combining old-timekeeping methods with modern tech, it creates an immersive, interactive, and memorable experience. Visitors become part of the art, making each experience unique and personal while offering a unique reflection on the nature of time and our relationship with it. As Nate Mars and Mike Patrick continue to push the limits of interactive art, their work promises to inspire and engage audiences in new and exciting ways.