- authors and performers: Igor Štromajer & Brane Zorman
- theoretical adviser: Bojana Kunst
- live sound (manipulated and performed) by MC Brane Vs BeitThron
- live video edited by Igor Štromajer
Ballettikka Internettikka is a series of tactical art projects which began in 2001. It explores wireless Internet ballet performances combined with guerrilla tactics and mobile live Internet broadcasting strategies. After invading the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow (2002), La Scala in Milan (2004), the National Theatre in Belgrade (2005), Volksbühne in Berlin (2006), the City Hall and Lippo Centre in Hong Kong (2007), a construction site in Seoul (2008), the Norwegian island Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean (2008), the Japanese island Minami Torishima in the Pacific Ocean (2009) and other institutions, places and their concepts. Štromajer and Zorman prepared a new Internet ballet -- Ballettikka Internettikka Insecttikka, performing and broadcasting live from the coded location C3K44XE in Hamburg. The live event was broadcasted to the public at the Netherlands Media Art Institute, Amsterdam, and on the Internet.
In the Port of Hamburg, at the micro location C3K44XE, Štromajer and Zorman released two micro robotic bugs: two artificial autonomous robotic toy insects (based on the HexBug Alpha and HexBug Bravo platforms), equipped with mechanical and electronic sensors and with three wireless waterproof night vision micro spy-cameras, let loose to commit a parallel suicide (the third, invisible micro robotic bug, equipped with the same camera, observed the situation from a distance). Both of the robotic bugs were programmed only to commit suicide -- at the same time (with up to +/- 5 seconds time tolerance) -- but not how to do it. Their intelligent decision-making electronic system allowed them to select the method of their simultaneous death. Visitors of the Performmikka Internettikka event in Amsterdam and visitors on-line were able to monitor the robotic bugs' path to death, and their final decision.
How did the robotic insects decide? Autonomously or politically?
Ballettikka Internettikka Insecttikka was a part of the event Performmikka Internettikka, curated by Petra Heck.
"We shall fight them on the beaches. We shall fight them on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender."
(W. Churchill)
Hexbug Alpha + Hexbag Bravo:
Hexbug feels its way around sensing objects in its path and avoiding them. You can control where it scurries through a hand clap, loud noise or table slap. The robotic bug will travel forward until it hits an obstacle or hears a loud noise. It will then backup in a half circle and then move forward in a different direction.
- Crawling bug
- Bump sensor feelers help it avoid obstacles
- Change its direction by clapping or making noise
- Fits in your hand
# wireless camera and transmitter: DraganFly Eyecam Extreme 2.4GHz Color Wireless CCD Night Vision Micro Video Camera with 2.4GHz, 4 channel switchable, 50mW ultra-light transmitter
# wireless video receiver: DraganFly 2.4GHz, 4 channel auto-selecting A/V receiver/down converter with Circular Polarized Flat Patch Antenna
Igor Štromajer Virtualna baza Intima Igor tromajer Intima Virtual Base Ballettikka Internettikka
