Concept: Change

Image of an item accompanied by a text description.  Initially, the image is very simple, the text description basic, perhaps Aristotelean.  Once triggered by the viewer, the text gradually evolves through historic scientific insights until it reaches a current, modern picture.  The piece would create a tale of perceptions, as if charting changes in a document, watching 'live' as old ideas are overwritten and fade a way. 

The evolution of the text is gradual and piecewise, and each change in the text of text is illustrated, embroidered, and persists for a time, if not to the final version.

Possible modes:

•     Fade
•     Overwrite
•     Cross out
•     Scribble
•     Cross-out
•     Write over and over until one idea wins
•     Smear   

Depending on the nature of the image, it can be used to illustrate the advances described.  This could be through overlays on a static graphic, a morphing or fading series of images or other forms of animation, depending on the image and subject chosen.

Examples of image types:

• Sketches
• Charcoal
• Watercolour
• Photographs
• Botanical illustrations
• Microscope drawings/photographs
• SEM pictures
• Telescope images
• Mission images from space probes
• etc.

Flash would seem to be the most suitable tool for creating this piece, perhaps using a graphics tablet to create illustrations and 'handwriting' details.

Pros:

•     Could be made beautiful and compelling
•     Flash is broadly compatible
•     Fairly complete control over the viewing experience including pacing
•     Elegantly and clearly conveys the desired concept
•     Provided the creation is carefully sized, should be cleary and simply viewable on all sizes of screen
•     Gradual fading of discarded ideas shows mutability of scientific ideas
•     Can show false starts which are abandoned

Cons:

•     Largely passive
•     Linear
•     Flash limits compatibility somewhat, though not much
•     Does not allow an audience to pick and choose, or influence pace

Perhaps some of these criticisms could be addressed by giving the viewer a control slider to move through the timeline (would be cool to see the image morph back and forwards) - this would also allow them more control to examine before and after a change, or watch when several things change at once.