Talking Shop

Hoeksteen Net at Ars Electronica
Many of those that take part in one or more of De Hoeksteen operations think that Talking Shop is the coolest item in the site (meaning the hottest but you know what we mean, right?). The reason why they thin that is because here in good all Europe users are really behind, lets face it the Gringos are much better in this and many other fields, mind you not in every field, lets not get too confident here O.K>? In any case, there are a lot of problems, technical problems in these parts of the world, so the Dutchies really hope that their Gringo counterparts can help to solve some of those problems. On the other hand, the Dutchies (and some of the Colombians that have infiltrated the Dutch scene) have come some times with very practical (improvised) solutions to technical problems that are often described as "guerrilla attacks." This is one of the examples that has created riots in the digital community in Amsterdam, Enschede and other major Dutch and European metropolis.

The Amiga File

Amiga Comodore doesn't exist any more. Remember that nice quit computer used by artists and designers thousands and thousands of years ago? Lets face it Commodore let us down! All of the executives jumped with their golden parachutes so it is time to jump ship time at least here on the continent, the USA(ers) did that long ago. But whatever happened with Amiga and Commodore, experts say that Amiga and the Internet, is like drinking and driving, they don't mix. Until a while ago the solution to this problem was to transfer files (we are talking about graphics and animations) or something like that that sounded very complicated to the many computer illiterates that hung around in the corridors of power in De Hoeksteen virtual buildings. A while ago one of them (me as a matter of fact) came with an idea, a very unorthodox idea (that at first was very criticised) to solve the problem. In order to transfer graphics and animations from Amiga to Apple one simply had to go from the video out in the Amiga (the Gen Lock) into the video in of the Apple (the Video Card?). It worked out believe it or not!!!. Old fashioned, prehistoric, called the way you want, but it worked!. That's the sort of thing that makes this country and this continent great and happy! Little joke ha! ha!). At first the computer wizards from "the Pepsi generation" that were present during the experiment laughed at us. But this proves that they have a lot to learn, let us remind them that while they are "Pepsis", we (above 40) are the real thing. People can still say that this solution to the Amiga problem is kids stuff, that this is a Mickey Mouse solution, so what? it works!!!

One more thing, a kind, loving message to the American, the USAers to be precise, lets not forget that America is not Gringolandia only you have some other little countries in the neighbourhood, countries like Canada, Mexico and Brazil, but that's another story that we will be dealing with at a latter date (if ever). In any case, please don't feel offended because you are referred to as Gringos in De Hoeksteen Internet, it is meant wit all the love and tenderness in the world. It is one of the many codes used by the gang here in De Hoeksteen. For more information on the subject please refer to De Hoeksteen Lexicon, one more of the services of De Hoeksteen Internet to bring you into the exiting world of Peter Stuyvensen (do you know that cigarette brand a little wimpish for our taste but who we are to judge and remember smoking is not that bad there is a new Russian report that argues that in fact smoking is extremely good for your health but who can trust the Russians any way. Once a Commie always a Commie and the only good Commie is a dead Commie that's what decent folk used to say). We leave you with all of these thoughts to reflect and now a word from our sponsor: Help us with our problems and we will help you with yours. Adios!, Calimero (?), chao pescao.


Inverting the function of a video selector.

This is a story about the unexpected features that one finds from time to time in pieces of hardware. The following event took place 15 years ago when I was preparing one of my installations: Worlds First T.V. Convention, 250 monitors talking to each other for 5 days. Not an easy job without computers (personal computers that is) and they were not available then. We were getting ready to order expensive custom-made video switches when I came across some old Sony video selectors. They looked like "Russian Tanks" (if you want to find out what "Russian Tanks" are you must refer to De Hoeksteen Lexicon somewhere in this site) and nobody used them. This selectors had 5 inputs and one output. I suggested to use the input as outputs and vice versa. All the techs working in the project looked at me like if I was crazy (they all knew that I was a total ignorant in the field of video) We tried and Bingo!!! it worked. After that some people think that I can perform miracles.


The Talking Microphone.

24 years ago I wanted to record a letter to send to a friend in Colombia and by accident I went with the microphone into the earphone output and pressed play instead of record in my very cheap (audio) cassette recorder. Caspita!!! the mike talked to me!!! . Apparently this is only possible with very cheap equipment. Years later I presented Talking Microphone in an exhibition of audio works in Time Based Arts in Amsterdam, since then the piece has been exhibited in many many places.

I also found out that earphones and headphones can be used as microphones.


Black Hole Television: the First Desk-Top Television Programme in Amsterdam

From July 1992 until January 1993 the First-Sight Foundation presented a pilot series cable under the title Black Hole T.V. via the information channel of KTA (Kabel Televisie Amsterdam) the city's cable operator. This channel permanently displays the menu of the local national and transnational programming available for cable subscribers. At the centre of the menu is a square used by KTA to supply technical information: Frequencies, satellite failures maintenance, etc.. This square was used to cablecast Black Hole T.V. Entries included: computer generated: graphics, stills, typography charts, music scores, theatre plays, short statements, animations, digitations of film and video fragments, etc. Black Hole T.V. was edited by Raul Marrqouin and produced by Kees Aafjes

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Post Literate's live camera at Desk.nl

A nice, to the point Internet installation by Mariano Maturana. An old, black and white, portable video camera, pointed at a table. You click HERE and see what's happening THERE.