From July 4 to 8, the 15th International Conference on Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems (ALIFE XV) was held at Mexico’s Cancun International Convention Center, where the interactive installation, “Visual Liquidizer or Virtual Merge,” co-produced by Soka University Professor Tatsuo Unemi of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Professor Daniel Bisig (Zurich University of the Arts), won the Best Artwork Award.

The idea of the awarded work came from the science fiction author Rudy Rucker’s “Wetware,” which was announced in 1988. A rear projection screen, which allows the viewing of images from both sides, is set in the middle, and people on both sides are projected as being melted together and returning to their original side. This uses a mechanism to reproduce group action, which was created via research on birds, fish, and ants as well as by using a uniquely developed image-generating technology. The purpose of this work is to mediate the deepening of human relationships.

About 160 study presentations and lectures were given simultaneously at the conference by the various researchers that gathered from around the world, and lively discussions took place based on themes including the origins of life, development of languages, and the dynamics of evolutionary changes in society. Also, Professor Unemi’s work, “Daily Evolved Animation,” was demonstrated and displayed in the display area together with two other works selected from among competition entries and one invited artwork.

Professor Unemi shared, “I am extremely honored to receive the award. This year marks the 13th year of an international joint project with Mr. Bisig, and this is the fourth award that we have received. Using state-of-the-art technologies, we would like to continue producing work that inspires people and enables them to deepen their thoughts.”

Mr. Bisig, the co-producer, is scheduled to give a lecture this fall at Soka University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering as a guest lecturer.