Impression Machine is a media art project based on robotics and kinetic photography. In this project, we have developed a new system and used a highly experimental approach to create a new visual experience for the audience. The work is embodied as a "performative" installation comprising a 6-axis robot arm, a digital camera, a computer and two screens (a 60" TV and a 3m wide projection). The system/machine/installation is performing while the audience is invited to observe a sequence of events, then comprehend the reasons and meanings behind the abstract visuals presented.

The camera is mounted on the robot arm, moving in the space while taking long exposure photographs. On the TV, a set of contour lines are displayed and captured by the camera. As the camera motion and the displayed contour lines are tightly synchronized, the light contours appear to be stacked in an aligned manner in the long exposures, constituting a number of 3D geometric shapes conceived by Leonardo da Vinci. This asks us to rethink how "perspective" is created in a 2D representation (such as a painting or a photograph), and directly responds to Leonardo's study of perspective. Each resultant long exposure photo is displayed on the projection wall. All light contours are real-time rendered and all long exposures are real-time captured on site. This work has developed a technological innovation for new media art embodiment and facilitated a new artistic experience for the audience.

Impression Machine has been shown in "Leonardo da Vinci: Art & Science. Then & Now” Exhibition" during September to December 2019 in CityU Indra and Harry Banga Gallery. 12 contemporary artworks, including Impression Machine, alongside 12 original drawings of Leonardo da Vinci are displayed in the exhibition, celebrating the 500th anniversary of his death. The exhibition has attracted over 11,000 visitors.

The project was partially supported by ACIM Research Fellowship and HKADC Project Grant.

Website:  https://www.cityu.edu.hk/bg/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci