Welcomer
What is it to welcome someone to a place? How is our understanding evolving and how might it change dramatically in the future with the help of virtual personalities? A site specific video installation was created for a festival in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. In advance of the event, participants were invited to create a recording. They were asked to imagine a meaningful place and to welcome someone it, without specifically identifying the location. When participants walked into their hotel rooms, the TV was on, a single looping character virtually, mysteriously welcoming them.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/04feddefbd666d144e590d3e4bb139fa015820cb108eba4915758bef55f0e76b/2019-10-17-15.56.20.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c2f8d59a1e6eeefdf2cd97285fbf8f88ec886b5d419721c37d81afba452ca59c/install-caroline.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/882997e5a6545e6b4d14fe118bd1cb556b1e2a68b5ea4ccfc09945f5bba4a110/install-hannah.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3e6b411e7d95c304fec35831f9b3e231998b18edc209557c866b74aa9e728292/install-alexander2.jpg)
Later during the festival, they may end up meeting their welcomer IRL.
This video installation functions as a participatory meditation on welcoming, expectations, and virtual presence.
Many thanks to the contributing participants: Robert Carey, Dimid Hayes, Naomi Sparrow Hooley, Alice Hutchins, Hannah Jayanti, David Leonard, Chantal Elena Mitchell, Caroline Mort, Alexander Porter, Tamir Peter Rawlings
Video editing assistance: Lena NW
Installation documentation: Hannah Jayanti, Alexander Porter, Monica Frisell, David Leonard