Vincent Houzé

Vincent Houzé is a Paris born digital artist where he studied computer science and graphic design. Before embracing interactive art he has worked in Paris and London as a visual effects designer for films, commercials, and video games. These work experiences have laid a wonderful foundation for his ability to use visual effects technology.

Vincent Houzé’s forte is using modern computer graphics techniques to create interactive art, performances, and large-scale multimedia installations. His practice centers on dynamic simulations and systems in which simple rules give rise to complexity, richness, and realistic motion in his work. The simple rules and common dynamic image are easy to get connections with audiences.

 

Examples of Vincent Houzé

• Fluid-Structure

Fluid-Structure is an immersive interactive installation which explores how an ephemeral and amorphous shape reacts under various stimuli, internal and external. Fluids move according to both inner and outer forces, and it is this science that gets explored in the new monolithic interactive installation, Fluid-Structure.

Vincent Houzé created the projection is gigantic like Superconductor’s geology-influenced morphing CG animation Earthworks, featuring a water-like digital fluid pouring from the top of the screen, splashing upward, or even rippling in suspended motion and various shapes, propelled along by internal data which can be temporarily disrupted by audience members.

“Forces and collisions bend the shape until it breaks, recombining it into new aggregates. The result is an ever-changing landscape, mysterious yet familiar.” Fluid is a common substance in life, and its shape and state are also easily accessible to the audience. However, it is easy to be neglected because it is very common. This work has deepened the impression of fluids and a new consciousness.

“Using computer vision the audience is made an integral part of the process, leaving its temporary physical mark, always bound to eventually to disappear. The system is driven by a state of the art fluid solver able to process in real time the forces and constraints the shape is subjected to.” Inviting viewers to join the work, and become one of the important factors in the final product is a good way to get interaction.

 

• Interactive Fountain Mapping

This production is the result of a collaboration of Vincent Houzé and AV&C, a playful experiment where one can control simulated liquid flow and watch it splash against a geometric sculpture.

This projection mapped water foundation is interactive. A user can manipulate the simulated water flow, causing it to splash against its geometric sculpture enclosure. Vincent Houzé encourages audiences to become a part of the elements in his work so that to get interactions. This production is playful and imaginative with a childlike quality despite the innovation involved in the augmented reality.

 

Fixed Media vs. User-interactive media

Fixed media could be considered as a linear structure, which is the significant point that different from interactive media. Interactive media is more focus on the connections with the audiences, so the structure of interactive art can be described as layering structure. Multiple different visual effects and artistic patterns will be revealed because of the participation of the audiences, so the structure of user interactive art is more free and diverse.

 

Reflection

According to the examples I provided, both of them are about fluid and water can be the symbol of ‘fluid’. This is the point that interests me. ‘Fluid’ is the element which is common to see in daily but it is also easy to ignore. I think the more common things, the more likely it is to resonate with the audience and Vincent Houzé makes good use of this point.

‘Fluid’ is one of the keywords in Vincent Houzé’s works. I would like to use it as a research basis to explore whether the speed of movement, shapes of the subject (In example one, the fluid is not imprisoned by solids. In example two, the fluid is regulated in the box.), sounds, the changes of lights and other external elements will have psychological or emotional impacts on the audience’s reflection.

On the other side, Digital media has gradually become a modern technology and can strengthen people’s connections to some extent. This can be considered a positive factor through the interaction between people and art creates a change that we feel beautiful.

Vincent Houzé fully uses ‘digital’ media like visual effects technology to explore how an ephemeral and amorphous shape reacts under various stimuli. This technology makes this project interesting and encourages viewers to join the creation of the work and even become one of the creators of the work. This greatly changes the relationship between an artwork and a group of individuals. Meanwhile, this is a great opportunity for the artist and viewers to interact as well and may help to new inspiration from the audiences’ participation process.