5mm

A universal utopia not realized.

With our current technology, we could have perfect digital transfers from source to source with no information or quality lost. This transfer must occur across the nether region of electronic spaceóa virtual world. If the smallest amount of the physical world is placed in the middle of this transfer, merely 5mm between a television screen and a camera lens, this theoretically perfect system breaks down. All that remains is an abstract color field and grid pattern, rendering information unrecognizable. Our physical world undermines the possible utopia of digital media. This is the space that breaks down the ideal.

This imposition of physical space on the virtual is representative of a world that keeps utopian ideals from manifesting. A universal utopia cannot be realizedóthere is no ideal. Everything breaks downóthis is the nature of matter. We must therefore find our own place of comfort within the breakdown of things.

Christopher P.H. Krapek
November 19, 2004