This
work explored another dimension of time in a technological environment,
entropy, while also call attention to the issues of copyright protection
and preservation as they apply to digital works. It featured a virtual
creature that was said to be sensitive to the human touch. The “cells”
of its body were made up pixels recycled from works of art in the
sponsoring organization’s database. A contemporary version
of the “vanities” painted by 18th century artists, it
had a preprogrammed life span, began to disintegrate from the moment
of its “birth,” and eventually “died” (i.e.,
it disappeared altogether). However, by touching the screen of the
“Touch-Me” exhibit clicking a button on the web site,
visitors could trigger a sensor that temporarily arrested the progress
of disintegration and even restored lost cells—a truly lifesaving
caress.