Mohamed YoussefZone d’intervention numérique culturel www.zinclafriche.org

Mohamed Youssef is an Egyptian artist who practices visual arts. Lately, he has been working on the production of artistic booklets and digital works that focuses mainly on the interaction with the public. His work has been exhibited in Egypt, Germany, France, and Korea.

In 2006, Mohamed Youssef was invited with Sharif El Sayed to the digital arts Festival Arborescence.in Aix en Provence-Marseille, where they presented one of their work, an interactive space, « la Table- A la recherche du temps perdu » -The table in the quest of lost time.

Mohamed Youssef is part of the RAMI Project. In May 2007, he took part in a workshop in Beirut, in order to develop his project « the Particles », an interactive piece managing sounds, as well as movements and the public. For this new work, still in progress, ZINC invited Mohamed Youssef for a residence in Marseilles in September 07 in order to develop his concept.http://www.mhyoussef.netfirms.com

The Table

« In the quest of the lost times »… Light and MemoryAn Interactive Digital Space

This project introduces the light through the memory perception. It is like an evolving/emergent light that reveals several details neglected and left in the darkness of our memory. Between what’s real and what’s virtual, we may be here and now, but then again, maybe not. Maybe it’s just our memories that unexpectedly rush back as we touch a glass of water, a cup of coffee, a dish or a spoon, or another object on the table, revealing the significance of these gestures. Thus, Marcel Proust appears once again… We may all be searching for forgotten, unknown or strange times.

The purpose lies in guiding the persons to a specific place through the light and the lighting effects. Experiencing, rediscovering the general memories, the common and the different ones, by the light, the projection/screening and the objects’ touch.

This project aims to create an artificial atmosphere, facts, and the reactions they induce. In a room where all objects are drowning in darkness, the spectators proceed slowly in an obscure space, led by a light projected from above that follows their steps, there is no light in front or behind them. Sensors are placed under the carpet inducing/ activating the lightning as they move. Therefore, they reach a table that is already set, ready to greet the guests where the host awaits.

They all sit at the table. The Candles of a candleholder are providing soft lighting that allows them to see the plates, the glasses, the cups, and the flask of water…

All these objects are connected to “sensors” that translate gestures (like lifting objects), into orders given to the computers controlling the projectors. These computers have a library full of videos programmed for a random projection, connected to the nature of the objects on the table and the guests’ personal objects such as (mobiles, wallets). Everything is projected on three screens surrounding the table. We can see the lighting projectors, a light coming from memories uncovering the common knowledge of everything to us all.

The flashes and film clips represent scenes from childhood, teenage years, places, distinct intimate, moments.