Tracking the Loving Gaze (2017-2019)

A collaboration project with: Omiros Panayides

Read more about this project here. This is the final version of the article “Tracking the Loving Gaze” that has been accepted for publication at Leonardo journal [MIT press].

We asked 30 people to provide us with a photograph they love or one with a very special meaning for them. Then, we used an eye tracker - a device usually used in psychology, marketing, and human-computer interaction research - to measure the point of gaze (where one is looking at) and its duration. An eye-tracker provides raw visual data, such as heat maps, focus maps, or scan paths. For us, these visual data where the primary source for this work.

 

TRACKING THE LOVING GAZE: HEAT MAPS

For the first part of the work - “Tracking the Loving Gaze: Heat Maps” - we transferred the participants’ “heat maps” on films and then developed them in the photographic darkroom on gelatin silver print paper. Effectively, we started with photographs provided by the participants, tracked the participants’ “loving gaze” with the help of a technological device, and fixed that gaze on photographic paper in the traditional darkroom. The thirty pieces are unique (1 of 1) as is our experience with a photograph we love.

 

TRACKING THE LOVING GAZE: ABSENCES

The second part, “Tracking the Loving Gaze: Absences”, consists of five images provided by participants. However, it’s impossible for the common viewer to see what the owner of the photograph sees. The area most viewed by the owner, is obscured.

1. “My only sister”, Myrofora, 20 years old; 2. “The little girl”, Christina, 19 years old; 3. “Exit”, Artemis, 21 years old; 4. “My best friend”, Mikaella, 19 years old; 5. “Lion king”, Alexis, 21 years old.

 

TRACKING THE LOVING GAZE: SCAN PATHS

Finally, the third part, “Tracking the Loving Gaze: Scan Paths” is an installation of four videos. The visitor can follow the gaze of a photograph’s owner in “real time”.  The title and participants’ descriptions are an integral part of the work.

SERENITY (participant #13)

This picture represents all my positive thoughts and captures a very important moment in my life. My wife is pregnant under that umbrella. We are alone at our favorite beach with my dear friend and pet, Pixel. The summer is my favorite time of the year. I vividly remember the need I felt to capture this moment. I was right because it will always make me feel serene. Angelos, 36 years old

WHAT I WANTED TO BECOME AS A CHILD (participant #16)

She is sweet and innocent. It shows my character, my style. The photograph was taken by my father whom I adore. Arilena, 28 years old

A SWEER MOMENT IN TIME (participant #17)

Peaceful place, Good friends, Great location, Lovely weather, Wine, Beautiful women!, Great music!!, Sunset!!! Michalis, 39 years old

MUM (participant #26)

I love this photograph because it depicts a moment in my life that I’ll never forget, in a place I love. My mum is not alive any longer so photographs of her are very important for me nowadays. Amaliana, 19 years old

 

EXHIBITION VIEWS

Exhibition Views, Phenomenological Lightworks, NeMe Art Foundation, Oct. 2017