LIF
LIF is a performance where the visitor is the central figure. A stage where they can have fun and show themselves the way they like.
LIF stands for Lifesize Interactive Frame, originally from Dutch: Levensgrote Interactieve Fotolijst. This abbreviation is more accurate since the F represents a large-size photo frame.
The abstract LIF hints at the word life.
Sketch
In the sketch, you can see how LIF functions. Two people are standing in front of the photo frame. Next to them on hip height stands a pole with a red factory “stop” button. With a push on this big red button, they can make their own picture visible on the lifesize photo frame.
In a way, the visitors are standing in a big mirror, with the option to make the ever ongoing image freeze.
One could say this was also an early form of the selfie.
You are Unique
Everyone is unique, and everyone should be seen, in my opinion. You matter too. So show yourself and hit that button and say, “Look, this is me.”
If you want, you can press the big red button endlessly until a photo of yourself appears that you are happy with. And that photo can also be seen, namely lifesize on a (photo) frame (LIF).
Truth
Lifesize because this is closer to the truth than a small window sill photo. But also, the LIF performance may be a bit of deception as it is fleeting compared to a photograph in a regular picture frame.
Because when the next visitor comes and presses that big red button, the image of this person replaces your.—Perhaps a mild reminder that life continues without you.
Volatility
This volatility is also necessary because a static image of yourself is never correct. You are not a still image. And you are more than a photo.
On the other hand, a photograph is a reminder that we exist. And in general, we want to appear in it as well as possible. And that’s the nice thing about the LIF performance. So you can model your image.
Huntsman/ICI
I presented my idea to Niko Huntsman, the communication manager and former spokesperson for ICI (later Huntsman Holland).
We had a good click, and thanks to him, I could bring this idea to fruition. Unfortunately, I forgot the names of many more nice people at Huntsman, with whom I had to pleasure to cooperate.
I will never forget a few lovely people from the department chemicals. They gave me their full support in creating from foam a lifesize large golden photo frame.
And then their department ICT made the technology behind it better.
Open Day Chemistry
Two times I was invited for the bi-yearly Open Days of Huntsman Holland. And two times, I successfully installed the Lifesize Interactive Frame. It was a lot of fun to see the LIF performance at work.
I added to the LIF performance that the visitors could get a print of their photos. As a memento of their participation in the LIF performance at the Chemistry Open Days at Huntsman ICI.
2000
The first open day was on 20 October 2000. I sat at a desk next to the LIF. And all day there were visitors, sometimes there was a line of people waiting. All day long, I was printing the photos for them. Unable to chat with everybody.
The LIF worked like a charm. It was a fantastic performance. And presented at an event and location that showed to be a great fit. An Open Day about chemistry. Since we humans all the time have chemical reactions Unfortunately I have not the best pictures to show you. But here you can get an impression:
2002
Two years later, on 2 November 2002, Hundreds of visitors participated, pressing again that big red button, to take a picture of themselves. We made around 480 photos!
Reference
Tijdens iedere Open Dag Chemie zijn opnieuw vele bezoekers er over verbaasd dat bijna alle dagelijkse producten wel iets met de chemische industrie te maken hebben. Kunstenares Kim Engelen toonde met haar kunstwerk “Levensgrote Interactieve Fotolijst” aan dat chemie en kunst uitstekend bij elkaar passen.
Grote rode knop
Kunstenares Kim Engelen heeft er mede voor gezorgd dat dit een geslaagde dag was. Zowel bij de organisatie als bij de bezoekers viel de Levensgrote Interactieve Fotolijst in goede aarde. Veel mensen wilden eigenhandig op de grote rode knop slaan om hun eigen beeld op de grote schitterende fotolijst te toveren. Op een gegeven moment stond er zelfs een rij bezoekers in de wacht om op de foto te kunnen. Op deze wijze werden de stralende bezoekers vastgelegd en als herinnering kregen ze een foto mee naar huis.De performance van Kim Engelen waar de bezoeker deelnemer is, was een magnifieke aandachtstrekker in het geheel te noemen. In 2002 is er opnieuw een Open Dag Chemie en Huntsman zal Kim hier zeker weer voor uitnodigen.
Niko van Gent
Public Relations
The LIF worked like a charm. It was a fantastic performance performed three times. Perhaps because many of us need attention and want to have fun.
The last two times at Huntsman Holland proved to be a great fit. During an Open Day about chemistry. Since we humans, all the time have chemical reactions. I have only thumbnails as an impression:
Festival Tonen
The LIF performance was installed for the first time on 30 September 2000 at Festival Tonen in Monster.
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