A view of the RESUSCITATION installation.

What do flashing red lights, sirens, and random voices have to do with each other? Just ask Rensselaer undergraduate student Justin Kwan — a senior with a double major in computer and systems engineering and electronic media art and communications – and creator of the “RESUSCITATION” immersive installation that places viewers in the middle of a simulated emergency scene. The exhibit is on display in the West Hall Gallery (room 111) through Wednesday, Sept. 6. A closing reception is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Rensselaer students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

The installation begins by pressing a red button — setting off the sound of sirens and flashing red lights.  A pathway marked with yellow caution tape leads viewers to the center of the room where they are surrounded by four large screens showing various images of a rescue team treating a young child who has been injured. The four channel immersive video with surround sound serves as a way to draw viewers into the project, according to Kwan.

Justin Kwan stands in the middle of his installation as the simulated emergency scene plays in the background.

“Justin Kwan’s installation is ambitious. The work captures the sense of urgency involved in the work of EMTs, and the viewer gets drawn into this environment as the action unfolds,” said Kathy High, head of the arts department. “This is a project that he re-installed from the spring semester, and one can clearly see the dedication and attention to detail that is often rare to find in students so young. The multidisciplinary approach seen in his work is an example of the innovative approach that our students are taking to integrate art, technology, and science into the body of their work.”

The project, developed by Kwan as part of his senior project, originally started as a documentary based on the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department. The installation took more than 150 hours to produce, and included participation from the local fire department, as well as Rensselaer students who assisted with filming, acting, and writing original music for the project.

“I wanted to create a fictional environment as a way to observe how different individuals react to an intense situation as it unfolds,” said Kwan. “Any emergency situation creates a sense of panic and anxiety for some, and for others — as in the case of the EMT workers — they have to be calm. The installation really looks at how we respond to stressful situations due to social, cultural, and religious differences.”

Published September 4, 2006