Hit Bonačić (interactive installation, 2012) The installation refers to the early objects of Croatian mathematician and cybernetician, Vladimir Bonačić, who was a prominent member of the New tendencies movement (international network dedicated to the interconnection between art and science, based in Zagreb between 1961 and 1973).
According to the artist and theoretician Darko Fritz, “Bonačić criticised the use of randomness in computer-based art, as he considers humans to be simply better in “making the ‘aesthetic program’ relevant for human beings”. (darkofritz.net/text/bonacic.html)
The critique of randomness, making of ‘aesthetic program’ but also other thoughts of this author inspired us to make a 2D paraphrase of the so—called dynamic objects Vladimir Bonačić created in the late 1960s and 1970s. They were kinetic light installations pioneering interactivity in the computer—based art, programmed in a way that the viewer/user could control several parameters (rhythm, sound). In the installation Hit Bonačić, the viewer can also intervene into the prepared sequence and “program” his/her own code. In contrast to the usually delicate manipulation of technical devices, our installation is controlled by energetic hitting on the table, which enables the visitor to enter his/her own sequence of instructions that create patterns.
Hit Bonačić installation was created and produced as a part of the Remake project (remakeme.eu) and reinstalled in the HIT gallery in Bratislava.
Ján Šicko jr (b. 1977 in Bratislava) — a Slovak artist who works in the fields of visual communication, graphic design, new media and art education since 2000. He deals with the topics as interconnection of digital and analogue, cybernetic with material or low-tech vs. hi-tech principles in the wider cultural context. He researches HCI, user interface issues and parametrical design. He created and runs specialized multimedia laboratory at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava called MediaLab (www.mediala.sk).
Mária Rišková (b. 1974) — a Slovak art historian and theorist. She co—founded several independent cultural projects/spaces operating in the fields experimental erts, new media, design and informal education, such as Buryzone, gallery adn club (2001—2003), BURUNDI datalab studio displej press (2003—2005), 13 kubikov (2005 until present); projects: New Media Nation (2002—2003), Multiplace festival (2002—2007), Translab, Summer Open Academy and more. She works as independent editor and consultant of culture organizations, cooperates with the team establishing the national museum of design and she works as researcher and teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava.
