1.2 Fast Rewind: Interactive Paper Systems
Sonia Sheridan - Interactive Paper Systems
Scrolling through the publications of the 'first major exhibitions' in cybernetic/electronic/new media art, my eye fell on 'Interactive Paper Systems', a work of Sonia Sheridan (1969-1970). Interactive Paper Systems was displayed at "Software", an exhibition at the Jewish Museum in New York in 1970, where a broad perspective of practical information processing was exposed.
Using a 3M Thermofax machine (an early photocopying machine), Sheridan shows the capabilities of image-making within communication systems. This piece spoke to me because for that time, it was a breakthrough for graphic design and shows no limitations. Endless variations of images can be produced within minutes and appropriate training isn't a requirement for using this machine. It consists of that special magic that can give you the urge to play, create, try, arhhhhhh, more, more, more! Printmaking, photography, painting and other forms of visual communication can be transformed into anything and shared easier than ever before (for that time). Sheridan once spend hours creating images using only an orange in many different forms, from its juice, to the peel. I am using oranges to get orange juice in the morning, who wins?
