Digression, Evolution, Adaptation

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Last night i watched "Adaptation" a film written by Charlie Kaufman. Kaufman has a distinctive, surreal, introspective style and it was clear by accepting the assignment to adapt "The Orchid Thief" he was trying to strike new ground. He resisted his old style, and the standard style as put forth by Robert McKee the world's leading screenwriting teacher... this left him stuck. For the final act he did the standard McKee / Hollywood chase scene and character transformation and while this did tie up the film, i recall in 2003 when i saw it feeling disappointed. Last night, maybe as I'd already seen the film so had lower expectations, or as i am dealing with similar challenges, I was more forgiving.

For me, the transition from film to interactive poses a great challenge. In film you can control what the user sees, and when they see it. With interactive you give all that up, give the user control, and then somehow (in my case) also want to create an emotional journey. the video game metaphor is the most apt, but as Kaufman looks down on H-wood, I look down on V-game. Maybe I can soften in this. Or maybe there is another paradigm. Certainly theater is a way out - and the 1960's happenings, and Marina Abramovic (http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramovi%C4%87) are inspirations.

At the same time, I want a work that is very portable ( I dont' have funds to transport a cast, crew and set to various cities in Europe), and to solve a problem - i mean that like alchemy or ritual.

Interactive art is the ideal medium for examination of the evolution of human consciousness as we see this primordial attempt at reconciliation between archetypal forces reflected in the evolution of computers. Alan Turing, seen by many as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, was working to decipher the German codes during WWII. In other words, DM/Force responds via SM/structure. Then with the playfulness of the 1960’s, personal computers and video games are developed and computing is now often used in service of art, exploration, and play. 

but i digress?

I am interested in digression.

Kaufman does it often, but with a good editor and music - in cinema it works - works better than any other medium in showing the chaos of the mind.... interactive art has this potential as well, but as the chaos is not scripted, as the digressions are uncontrolled, maybe it's too good! In other words, in film the writer/director/editor can have that chaos climax and denouement, but in the hands of the audience it can just ramble forever. this is less gratifiying. But maybe more true