Michael Scroggins - Immersive VR and Absolute Animation
Art and Virtual Environments Project
"Mathematicians often describe the nature of certain topological surfaces by describing what it would be like to "take a walk" on the surface. The Topological Slide uses immersive virtual reality technology to provide this type of direct sensual experience.
"The 'rider' will wear a head mounted display enabling an interactive wide-angle stereo view of a three-dimensional space. The space will consist of a model of a topological surface to which the platform is bound and upon which it is free to slide. The 'rider' may traverse the model's surface by leaning in the direction in which she desires to move. The amount of lean in a given direction will determine the rate of sliding."
The quote above is taken from he original grant proposal for A Topological Slide submitted by Michael Scroggins and Stewart Dickson to the Art and Virtual Environments Project at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1991. The Topological Slide premiered at the Art and Virtual Environments Symposium held in conjunction with the Fourth International Conference on Cyberspace at the Banff Centre in 1994.
Immersed in Technology: Art and Virtual Environments (Leonardo Books) (Hardcover)by Mary Ann Moser (Editor), Douglas MacLeod (Editor)