Toing and Froing is the title of an installation piece, which aims to play with perspective alterations and disorientation. Moreover, interactivity with the piece as well as with the viewers themselves, is a big part of the project.In order for the piece to function, two participants are needed. The wooden swings with the back of the seat formed in the shape of infinity, are being hanged from the ceiling, aligned, but one facing east and the other facing west. Besides the two swings, there are two projectors, each one placed on the wall behind the back of each swing. When sitting on the swing, each viewer faces a rectangular white board, which defines the scale of the frame being projected. The board also has a cut out of a small square for the camera hidden behind it to be able to record the image. So, the motion of swing A is recorded by the camera A that is connected with a wire to the projector A which then projects on the wall and white board that swing B is facing; and the other way around. While rocking, each of the participants can see the other participant projected in front of him; thus, both viewers are mutually reflected on the wall crisscross.
The projections are black and white, in the eye level of the participants. Lighting arrangements were made, in order for the piece to communicate the concept and create mystery. The experience differs between couples that participate. It depends on age, gender, the diverse matches, and if the viewers know each other or not. When entering the room, the projections are similar; two plain swings. By the time one realizes that it is not a mirror projection, he gets the sense that one person’s soul is being reflected into the other, connected in an unexpected way. We often tend to avoid eye contact with random people, it makes us feel uncomfortable, but through the lens of the camera and the projections, there is an odd ease that even strangers can feel a connection. If there is a young kid and a senior then it gives the feeling of past and present being connected, if there is a boy and a girl, the meaning changes. The piece has an inactive and active aspect, it becomes alive when the participants interact with it and become part of a shared activity.
