Modern art always seems that much more modern when it has electronics bits that move and things that whir. Daniel Rozin is an artist that has embraced the digital interactive generation by creating the most astounding interactive art pieces. With a Steampunk like combination of low tech and high tech working in harmony these art works are fascinating on many levels. Then there is the noise, there is something strangely enticing about the mechanical noise of the wooden installations, the whirring of gears and clicking of wood pieces.

The displays themselves are magic to watch, with much amusement to be had when people catch a glimpse of themselves, they are appearing in the art, a part of it. The surprised glint in their eyes when the realize what they do in front of the installation will be reflected in the mirror. A moment not too dis-similar to teaching some-one to use a mouse for the first time, seeing the connection between the mouse and pointer on the screen, that astounding moment.

For your viewing pleasure we present three videos of these incredible art installations. The Mirror’s Mirror, the Peg Mirror and the Wooden Mirror. The Mirrors Mirror video has been selected for its catchy little soundtrack and for the behind the scenes view, an insight in to what it takes to get an installation such as this in place. The Peg Mirror and the Wooden Mirror – which includes commentary from Rozin himself – are both examples of the juxtaposition of old and new, with their sound and character.

Rozin is a man of many talents, the wearer of many hats. An artist, educator, software developer and generator of many ohhws and ahhhs. All of the major galleries around New York and many around the world have installed his works. The list of installed pieces is extensive, reading like an art critiques bucket list. Many are installed as stand-alone exhibits and many as part of a group exhibit.

Rozin’s works are part of the new generation of art, digital interactive art. By nature his pieces draw in the audience, then they turn the mirror on to them, making those interacting with the art a part of the art piece itself.

As an educator, Rozin is Associate Art Professor at ITP, Tisch School Of The Arts, NYU where he teaches such classes as: “The World- Pixel by Pixel”, “Project Development Studio” and “Toy Design Workshop”. As a developer, Rozin owns Smoothware Design, a software company that creates tools for the interactive art and multimedia authoring community.

Born in Jerusalem and trained as an industrial designer Rozin lives and works in New York. Featured in publications such as The New York Times, Wired, ID, Spectrum and Leonardo his work has earned him numerous awards including; Prix Ars Electronica, ID Design Review and the Chrysler Design Award.

Daniel Rozin – Mirrors Mirror, Motoristic Responsive Sculpture 2008

Rozin’s art installations are described as interactive mirrors, they are in essence the most brilliant kind of display technology. The Mirrors Mirror piece uses a grid of mirrors, tilting them to display light and dark, forming an image over the hundreds of pixels.

With a built in camera it will represent what it sees in light and dark, with reasonably fast movement. Displaying over 10 frames a second making the display smooth and fluid.

Rozin is prolific to, a very busy man. Dozens of his arts pieces have been installed around the world, all using different materials as the pixel, rubbish, wooden tiles and pegs, rotating patterned disks and rusty mirrors, all used to stunning effect.

Mirrors have fascinated people since we first noticed our reflection on shiny surfaces. In fact humanities fascination with shiny objects continues to this day. Bling may just be an extension of this fascination.

Why does it seem there is a whole other world in there somewhere? Threaded throughout our culture, within nursery rhymes and tales of the fictional kind are tales of the magic of mirrors. The mirror has saved Jason from Medusa, told us who is the prettiest of all and it has even been used to light Egyptian tombs and generally enhance self-esteem. The reason it has fascinated us for so long could be argued for just as many eons, what we do know is they are an invaluable tool that always seem to catch peoples attentions. Put a mirror up and people will look in to it.

Ever since DaVinci painted the Mona Lisa’s eyes – to follow the observer – artists have been trying to give their artwork that interactive edge. Daniel Rozin’s works are some of our favorite interpretations of modernistic interactive noid art. Stunning to watch, intriguing to interact with and simply brilliant works of art.

Peg Mirro (2007) by Daniel Rozin

Daniel Rozin. Interactive art with wooden mirrors.

Source: Daniel Rozin