Screenization – On the Diffusion of Digital Screens

Theoretical thoughts and experimental infrastructures on the history and future of screens

Master Thesis in the Digital Media program at University of the Arts Bremen
Supervised by Prof. Dennis Paul and Prof. Frieder Nake

The project “Screenization – On the Diffusion of Digital Screens” combines a detailed examination of the historic development of screens and theoretical thoughts about the essence of screenic properties with two experimental infrastructures to make speculations about screens of the future tangible.

Theoretical Part

As a starting point to examine this often overlooked topic, the written part gives an overview of the current status of screens in the world we live in: Their functionality, usage and influence.

The main focus lies on the investigation of the long and rich history of screens and their various predecessors at the intersection of visual perception, natural science, performative practices, media archeology, computer history and the duality of abstract concepts and concrete manifestations. The tendencies of screens for self-effacement and ambiguity and it’s specific materiality as a changing surface are revisited under the paradigm of the Digital and described as hyper-surfaces of our time. Finally an attempt for a definition of screens in general and of digital screens in particular is made.

The term Screenization is introduced to describe the general dissemination of screens into aspects of everyday life on the one hand, and the diffusion of screenic properties into new contexts and behaviors on the other. Based on observations and extrapolations of previous and current developments, it serves as foundation for the following practical part, speculating about the future of screens.

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Experimental Infrastructure: Autonomy

What if pixels could be spread like paint? What if they would not need to know about their position and context in relation to the “bigger picture”? What if individual pixels became autonomous, in the sense of power supply, input and output? What if they could memorize the content that they are showing?

For this experiment, a series of autonomous pixel units were build, each consisting of a light sensor, a micro processor and a light emitting diode. Whenever a unit receives a certain light signal, it starts recording the following sequence of light intensities and is afterwards able to replay it. These “Spatial Pixels” can be equipped with magnets or adhesive parts, so they can be distributed on almost every surface. Using a directed light source, like a projector with a custom-fitting projection, to „imprint“ the sequences it is possible for the pixels to act as sort of swarm screen, working together without having to know about the context or each other.

To demonstrate the principle functionality, fifty autonomous pixel units have been built and presented in an experimental setup. Thinking further, with improvements in the electronic engineering and by reducing the size and production costs, a larger scale production would enable for a whole new field of screenic applications. In theory, three of the fundamental functionalities could also be realized with the technology of LEDs alone: Obviously they can emit light, but also they can be reverse-biased to generate electricity and to act as light sensors.

Experimental Infrastructure: Materiality

What if screens could be shaped into any form? What if every surface could gain screenic properties? What if the screen’s quality to change its appearance left the flat rectangle that it is currently bound to? What would happen to our expectations of forms and materiality, if every surface could gain the ability to change its appearance?

A screenic sculpture was built, that consists of a thin mold of semi-transparent plastic, cast from epoxy resin. The form of the object is deliberately designed as a “non-shape”, not representing any known form and also the materiality of the plastic is strangely unfamiliar.
In the inside three mini-projectors are mounted with a custom-built short-throw lens system. A specific projection setup creates a seamless coverage that fills the whole object from the inside. The projectors are battery driven and wireless connected, and therefore allow for the sculpture to be moved around in space freely without limitations or shadowing. The images shown on the surface can reach from abstract shapes to concrete depictions and are controlled by an external computer. A parallel existing digital version of the object is used to merge virtually simulated properties with the physical appearance of the object in real-time. Using different sensors for tilting or touch recognition, the object can behave according to its context and be interacted with.

Following the tendency of screens for self-effacement, the materiality and surface condition of the object step back in favor of its content: The appearance of the sculpture is defined purely by its screenic materiality. As a mock-up of a screenitized object, the sculpture simulates the behavior of screenic properties outside a flat rectangle. Regardless the technologies used, the sculpture questions our understanding of shape, material and surface in a world where screens are increasingly dominating our visual perception.