“Watchful Portrait (Nadia and Caroline)” are virtual portraits that track the position of the sun and the moon. While Caroline opens her eyes at dawn, tracks the sun and closes her eyes at dusk, Nadia opens hers when night falls to track the moon.

This is achieved by inputting the precise scientific information as to the movement of these elements and designing the portraits so they follow these co-ordinates with their eyes at all times.

The diptych is shown on a shelf with the public being able to turn each panel on a central pivot point. The virtual portrait remains static however allowing the public to look around and behind the sitter, evenually leaving the screens in any way desired.

‘Watchful Portrait’ is a project from Irish artist John Gerrard will be on show during the Ars Electronica Festival.