E.A.T. -- Experiments in Art and Technology

Experiments in Art and Technology was founded in 1966 by engineers Billy Klüver and Fred Waldhauer and artists Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman. The non-profit organization brought together engineers and artists to work on performances that incorporated new technology. E.A.T. Became an essential catalyst in stimulating the involvement of technology into the art world. It worked together with engineers and contemporary artists.

Artists and the art community responded enthusiastically to E.A.T. By 1969, given early efforts to attract engineers, the group had over 2,000 artist members as well as 2,000 engineer members willing to work with artists. Expressions of interest and requests for technical assistance came from all over the United States and Canada and from Europe, Japan, South America and elsewhere. People were encouraged to start local E.A.T. groups and about 15 to 20 were formed. Artists involved with 9 Evenings: Theatre and Engineering include: John Cage, Lucinda Childs, Öyvind Fahlström, Alex Hay, Deborah Hay, Steve Paxton, Yvonne Rainer, Robert Rauschenberg, David Tudor, and Robert Whitman. Notable engineers involved include: Bela Julesz, Billy Klüver, Max Mathews, John Pierce, Manfred Schroeder, and Fred Waldhauer.

Video projection, wireless sound transmission, and Doppler sonar resonate from the 1960's. Never before had any used these tools to artistically display a piece. This merging of science, technology, and art broke down the barriers for decades to come.

The pinnacle of E.A.T. was at the Pepsi Pavilion at Expo '70 at Osaka Japan where E.A.T. artists and engineers designed an immersive dome that included a fog sculpture by Fujiko Nakaya. The project included 75 artists and engineers from the US and Japan- the original structure consisted of a geodesic dome covered by a water vapor cloud. A Mylar mirror (spherical) produced real images depicting that of a hologram. Because of the size of the mirror, the spectator could walk around the image and view it from all sides. Surrounding Pepsi Pavilion were seven of Robert Breer's “Floats.” These six foot high sculptures paroled around the pavilion at no more than two feet per minute. They emitted sounds. When the float hit an obstacle or was pushed, it would reverse direction and float in the opposite direction. Those who experienced this Expo first hand would be able to experience what has come to be known as the most important and influential art and technology projects of the 20th Century.

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