MSc projects 2021 007

Tête-à-Tête is a virtual reality (VR) artwork made using ray-cast volume rendered MR and CT scan data that are placed face to face, as if in an intimate and private conversation. Embedded into the CT scanned dataset are 3D artworks created in Google Tilt Brush to present the cranial and venous systems and 2D images created with text from a Freesurfer ‘re-con all’ log (an automated software task that includes skull stripping and segmentation and quantification of cortical and subcortical structures). In the MR dataset is a 3D model generated by Freesurfer of the segmented functional areas of the data. These are displayed as meshes and emit keywords that relate to the specific functional area. Multiple aspects of the VR environment can be interacted with, allowing both heads to be dissected and inspected.

In addition to innovating new methods of combining different kinds of digital elements with scan data in VR, Tête-à-Tête also seeks to depict and reflect upon the growing use of automated software to read and processing brain scan data. As such the intimate conversation between Melanix (which signifies anonymized data and automation) and myself (which signifies the human generating data) is a metaphor for the rapidly evolving relationship between human and artificial intelligence.

• Creative / artistic

Imaging keywords:

• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance (MR)

• Artificial intelligence

• Dr Gerry Thompson

• Imaging MSc

• 20-21