1. Paul, how does "Telematic Dreaming" exactly functions and what's the kick of the project in your opinion ?

Telematic dreaming functions like a mirror that reflects your image within another persons reality. The basic technical system consists of a camera situated above a Queen size double bed. The camera receives an over-head view of the bed, which is fortunately of equal ratio to that of video format. The image of the bed, and someone lying on it, is sent via ISDN lines and teleconferencing systems to a video projector situated above another bed, in a geographical distant location. The live image is projected down on to the bed and so with it the live life size image of the person. Another video camera situated next to the video projector sends an image of the projection, and second person lying on the bed under the projection, back to the first bed. Telematic Dreaming raises and addresses many questions, but above all it is the question of consciousness that interests me most. The visual image of the bodily form on a bed allows the users consciousness to race back and forth between the cause and effect of their remote and local body form. It is a means of extending consciousness through a technological extension of the body.

The spectator or user is central to the installation. Without them the bed is an empty space of potential. When entering the bed space the user becomes the voyeur of their own spectacle.

The bodily form encapsulates our consciousness. I believe it is possible to extend our consciousness beyond it, as in a telephone conversation or e-mail message, but we are a long way off the conception of it. The bodily form as a signifier is still necessary to identify and locate our consciousness at a distance. Therefore I am not concerned with escaping my form but rather to look back and observe it at a distance from the outside.

The human senses are as malleable as is the language that defines them. All sensory input definitions are a construct of language, which itself constructs our reality. Just because language dictates that we touch with our hands and see with our eyes doesnt mean thats all. Its absolutely conceivable that we can also see with our hands and touch with our eyes in just the same way, its a mater of manipulation and definition.

Telematic Dreaming is more than a piece, a project or an installation. Since its first realisation in 1992 it has kept me busy, both practically and mentally. Its simple, and Ive kept it that way ever since. Ive been knocking around with projects and ideas on the periphery of it since. But dare I say it (its been said so often) - the Internet is for me the most interesting point of departure now, and in many ways Im looking for a mutation within the Internet, a point at which I can intervene, which is occurring in the development and combination of live video, real-audio and Internet chat environments.