CHRONICA

a multidisciplinary project by Barbara Mydlak (PL) and Yann Deval (FR)

Project in writing and prototype development phase.


Drawing on recent research in cognitive science, artists Mydlak (material installation created from handmade paper) and Deval (augmented reality and music)
poetically explore the idea of conciousness, projecting the viewer's internal memories into the external space around them.

CHRONICA is inspired by the idea of Mydlak's previous work titled Descent/M87, which is the first installation from the 'Mydlak catalogue' series.
Over the last few years, Mydlak has been creating further installations for her catalogue, including: M2020, M2021, M2023, which she develops together with Deval in the interactive project CHRONICA.

CHRONICA takes inspiration from the concept and direction of M87: a diary of longterm sickness, a catalogue of memories of a healing process, with every instant leaving a mark on paper, 'postcards' that report the condition of the sender.
CHRONICA gives it a new dimension, shifting the perspective of the spectator to a position of sensory engagement.
It is as well the continuation of the exploration of the XR medium by Deval, after IMMERSIO and ATLAS, this time questionning the interplay between interiority and exteriority,
in an interactive experience mixing handmade paper installation and Hololens2.


First prototype has been tested in November 2023 during the exhibition-laboratory 'I only count sunny hours' at BLANCO, Ghent, Belgium.

Project supported by:
Pôle Image Magelis, with the support of Charente county council in partnership with the CNC, France
École nationale du jeu et des médias interactifs numériques du Cnam / CNAM-ENJMIN, Angoulême, France


Material installations:

M2020
materials: dyed pine, flax, recycled cellulose from previous artworks
substances: medical and cosmetic ingredients
technique: handmade paper, own technique
number of pieces: 365
size: each card is ~ 10 x 15 cm / composition and size of the installation change according to space

M2021
materials: recycled cellulose from previous artworks
substances: medical and cosmetic ingredients
technique: handmade paper, own technique
number of pieces: 191
size: each card is ~ 10 x 15 cm / composition and size of the installation change according to space

M2023
materials: recycled cellulose from previous artworks
substances: medical and cosmetic ingredients
technique: handmade paper, own technique
number of pieces: 273
size: each card is ~ 10 x 15 cm / composition and size of the installation change according to space

Objects change over time under the influence of external conditions and the substances used to create the images.

Photos by Barbara Mydlak

More information coming soon...