Visual Automatics and Visual Transmitters

The earlier works of the series of Visual Automatics ad Shift Boxes of 1963-65 took the form of limited sets of automatic variables operating at a set frequency, but with infinite random subsets and combinations, the observer being forced to discriminate between various random sets ad build his to impose an order. A game of prediction is set up where the observer tried to impose an order, and work out the probability of an occurrence of deployed triggers which are added to and filled in by the audience. These works use rotors in order to subliminally randomise the surrounding areas and rotors rotate at frequencies that trigger perceptual orientation behaviour. In addition a repeated flashing signal acts as a reinforcement'. - taken from Stephen Willats, Visual Automatics and Visual Transmitters exhibition catalogue