I was skeptical of the exhibition at the Singapore Science Centre when I first heard about it – a showcase of works merging art with technology. I thought that such a union would undermine the aesthetics of art and functions of technology.

But I was clearly wrong.

The Singapore Science Centre certainly lived up to its name in providing the best of innovation. This time, it presents the DAT (Digital Art & Technology Exhibition), Singapore’s first exhibition on digital media art. Featuring world-renowned exhibition ARS Electronica the event showcases mind-bogglingly interactive and art-infused exhibits from now till 1 January 2008.

More than a few artworks incorporated movement-sensitive projected images in its design. We might have seen kids interacting with the projected virtual background that is used for advertising in some shopping centres (e.g. projected fishes on the floor ‘swimming’ away from a spot as the kids approached, in Funan Shopping Centre), but this exhibition took it one step further with its ingenious use of sensors and context to bring visitors into a whole new environment. Judging from the various ‘OOHs’ and ‘AHs’ it elicited from both adults and kids alike, the possibilities of exploring art has just transcended into another level.

This keyboard is not a QWERTY, but a QWERTZ. I got into a frenzy trying to find the ‘Y’ when I tried to type my name using this German keyboard. Of course, this keyboard is not the focus in the exhibition. It is just the tool used in Life Spacies II, a virtual community where I created artificial life forms whose genetic codes were based on the written text of my message typed in. The genetic codes were translated by a specifically designed ‘text-to-form editor’ software.

I typed in my name using the keyboard into Life Spacies II and viola! I’ve created a green creature that carried my name in its DNA.

Releasing text characters to feed my creatures: These life-forms will only eat the alphabets that they are based on. Over time, one will observe a complex system of interactions with creatures of different behavior including feeding, mating and even reproducing.

This Diorama Table integrates real life objects into the virtual environment. When visitors place different daily objects, different aspects of a town will emerge. For instance, lengths of rope will be used as railway tracks by emerging virtual trains, while a solid object will be surrounded by plants and houses.

My personal favourite is seeing how the pond appeared.

*Gasp* Did my exhibition guide (right) just got flattened? Relax, this is just her life-size real time image being relayed from another room. As suggested by another guide, this installation called Telematic Dreaming holds practical applications for long distance couples. The two parties may be continents apart, yet ‘share’ the same bed with each other. Pretty good way to ensure that they’re not cheating on each other :p

I call this ‘live’ photoshopping.

A classic game gets a high-tech makeover with metaField. Wondering why the kid is frantically running around? He is tilting and balancing the projected labyrinth game on the interactive floor, moving the virtual pinball through the maze while avoiding the pitfalls. A perfect activity to get your kids off the couch during the holidays for some brain-and-body-exercise!

I am only halfway through the exhibition. Let me take a break at this point, but do look out for more updates on DAT next week or check out the exhibition for yourselves before 1 January 2008.

Digital Art & Technology Exhibition (DAT) is part of Explore Singapore! which happens from 10 November 2007 to 31 December 2007. For more information on Explore Singapore!, visit www.museums.com.sg/explore/ or call 62214463.

Tags: Explore Singapore!, Singapore Science Centre, Digital Art & Technology Exhibition