Viral Counter-Attack project Installation by Joseph Nechvatal and Music2Eye

Viral Counter-Attack is a multi-user immersive computer environment which follows certain conventions of the computer war-game precedent. Here multi-users command custom made real-time computer viruses against one another in an image environment created from the pictorial work series of Joseph Nechvatal called OvOidism. In OvOidism, terrain-like visual fields are created through the mixing of virally infected testicles, ovaries, breasts, bums, eggs, fruit and eyes.

The individual virus attacks, which feed off these visual fields, are color coded to identify them with each players body. By gesturing with their bodies, players can direct the course of real-time virus-verses-virus attacks and engage in complex strategic moves in war-game like fashion. Factors such as strategic groupings, co-operation between players, allocation of eat speed, and the managing of adequate host nourishment are crucial factors at play within Viral Counter-Attack. The audio component is generated by the viral and gestured action in real time.