Edelstein, Phil
2 records
Pantograph Tools
Tom DeWitt's Pantomation (illustrated by Vibeke Sorensen) describes the Electronic Pantograph, a television-camera-and-computer system that tracks keyed points and records position-versus-time; by December 1976 the authors had developed a machine that could load hand-drawn waveforms and produced a pantomation videotape (Dec 31, 1976) used in the pantomime Outta Space. Phil Edelstein documents the Key Positioner hardware—two 8-bit counters, latches and strobe logic—implemented for a PDP‑8/L and requiring H/V drive, a 3.58 MHz chroma signal and DACs. Projects involved Electronic Body Arts, the Air Farce Mime Troupe, the Electronic Music Studio at SUNYA and WMHT TV; funding included a New York State Council on the Arts grant and a NEA conference demonstration on March 10 in Buffalo, NY.
The Development of a Video Art Facility by Electronic Body Arts, Inc Tools
Phil Edelstein and Tom DeWitt conceived the Pantograph in 1975; they developed a television-camera-to-minicomputer score reader and held residencies at the WNET TV Laboratory with EBA dancers in Studio 46. NYSCA/WMHT funding in 1975–77 provided equipment support that led EBA to begin building the Pantomation system in November 1976; the Pantograph was publicly demonstrated on September 14, 1977 at the University at Albany Performing Arts Center. After WMHT withdrew programs in July 1977 RPI students provided WQPI space; in April 1978 DeWitt received $12,000 from the Guggenheim and $6,000 from the NEA and EBA completed a commissioned tape for exhibition on April 28.