Created in 1991, CYPRES is a centre that develops a program of scientific and technological researches, artistic practices and trans-disciplinary exchanges. It develops investigations that question the relations between Art, Science and Technology, and that lean on relations with non-European cultures (China, India, Egypt, Morocco...). CYPRESS develops axes of specific research in the impact of IT technologies on the education, training and the artistic, cultural and social practices.
CYPRES is involved in organising the following activities:
- experimental workshops
- units of research
- seminars, colloquiums, presentations of technological and art works
- publications
- artists residencies
- projects (local, national and european)
In the ALTERNE project, CYPRES is involved in the following:
- The set-up and use of software packages of dynamic and interactive morphogenesis in real time allowing unpredictable or significant, programmed, piloted behavior
- The development of new concepts of modelling based on biologic, ethological and physical aspects
- The implementation of electronic interactive devices and their corresponding digital treatments
- The construction of spaces of experiment notably for the motion capture and the constitution of a team associating designers, developers, electronics engineers, artists and computer graphic designers
Key Personel
Louis Bec (louis.bec.isrp@wanadoo.fr)
Founder and director of CYPRES since 1991.
He was born in Algiers in 1936 and lives in France. He is a biologist and the only zoosystematician in the world, he deals with a fabulatory epistemology based on Artificial Life and Technozoosemiotics and is doing research into the interrelationships of art science and technology. In this field he has collaborated with, amongst others, Vilém Flusser. In 1972 Bec founded the Scientific Institute for Paranatural Research where he studies the incapability of living beings to understand their own existence. Within his paranaturalistic research Bec has developed a series of potential beings, which he endows with chimerical and fictional characteristics. He has presented his ideas in many articles and exhibitions.
Furthermore, Bec - specialist of relations between Arts/Sciences/Technologies - worked during several year as an Inspector in charge of New Technoligies in the French Ministry of Culture, Department of Artistic Creation for the implementation of a new artistic reform of education in France and he developed numerous programs connecting experimental technological and artistic activities. Since 1996, he is involved, as an expert of the Council of Europe, in the framework of the conception, of the programming and the development of cultural and technological projects for the European countries.
He was director of many important international manifestations in the artistic, scientific and technological domains : “COMPUTER CULTURE” (Avignon 19831,3 million francs, 4 countries), “ALIVE one AND ARTIFICIAL ” (Avignon 1984, 1,4 million francs, 5 countries) and many other…
Between 1997 and 2000, he managed one of the biggest presentations in the field of art-science- technology: “AVIGNONumérique” (DigitalAvignon-2000) – AVIGNON European city of the Culture 2000 ( Budget 7,8 million francs - 35 artists-159 scientists from 10 countries, 10 000 visitors )
François Mourre (fmourre@free.fr)- graphic designer 3D, Modelling, Animation, Rendering
- 1995 - 2000 Creator of ANIMARE (Private company and Centre of Research)
- Animator and technological Watch on the techniques of modelling, mapping, and Persons' animation on SOFTIMAGE program
- participation in the 3D realization of: Vilette, COGEMA, EDF, GDF, St Gobain, Hoechst, Open13, Regional council 13, CCF, Museum of natural history of PARIS, COUSTEAU foundation, etc.
Gonzague Defos du Rau (gonzague@live-set.com)
- graphic designer 3D, Modelling, Animation, Rendering
- 2001 - Creator of LIVE-SET (Private company and Centre of Research)
- Specialist of motion capture system and external devices on SOFTIMAGE program
- Realisation of virtual-set for live shows , television , visual effect for cinema , R&D
