About the project

For some years now I have been experimenting with new media/ online stories, and particularly with networked narratives and the idea of constructing stories from web searches. One of the main aims with Buddy Rivers is to construct a character who can be unleashed/ set free and (to a certain extent) say unpredictable things. The idea of an automated stand-up comedian appeals to me.

The core of this project is a computer network generated comedian, who is capable of an endless generated network performance. For this specific performance his behaviour is structured, along loose lines, but the performance has a definite start and end point. His performance is driven largely by user interaction and user response, and I've built in some primitive AI. I've wrapped a story around the core, Buddy's life story and career, which I intend to build on and take further. Buddy will be doing many more things in future.

Physicality
Adding sound to this project takes my work into new areas. When a character can speak it feels like bringing them to life. I've been keen for some time to make my work more physical, and not just online. When the opportunity came up of presenting the work at Leroy Street I wondered how I could wrap a story around the event. The gallery in Leroy Street will only exist for a few months, and after that the building is going to be developed into luxury flats, like much of the local area which is undergoing gentrification and property speculation.

The background story is that he's fighting to save the building from demolition, and he verbally attacks property developers in his performance. This will hopefully upset the company of architects who reside upstairs, who will be doing the demolition, are actually working there during the performance. So another of my aims is to cause trouble!

Feedback
One of the best things about 55 Leroy Street is that the gallery sees itself as a testing ground for new ideas. I've found this very liberating, a good way of collecting feedback to improve and develop the project. I'd be very grateful for your feedback: dave.miller.uk@gmail.com

As I'd like to take this project into other galleries in future, I'm very interested in hearing from anybody who has ideas and can think of possibilities.

Dave Miller
My portfolio: http://davemiller.org
My art blog: http://davemiller.org/art_blog

55 Leroy Street
Leroy Street blog: http://www.55leroyst.blogspot.com/