This set of studies explores the relationship that we as user have with digital devices. Currently, we are forced to be quite delicate with digital devices for a variety of reasons. Mostly, this is due to the fact that the devices are fragile and expensive. But I’m interested in wondering what would happen if this wasn’t the case. What if you could interact with things in an emotional way? What if the physical manifestation of an emotional outburst caused a meaningful response from a device or system? I’ve explored this elimination of the preciousness associated with a device within the 3 studies in the video above and listed below.

1: Punching: Signal from the Noise.

A nostalgic exploration referencing a time when you could punch a television or radio in order to improve reception.

2: Throwing: Force as Instrument

An experiential exploration that looks at the force of throwing as musical instrument.

3: Shaking: Directional Nudge

The most specific of the scenarios, the shaking interface uses a mobile phone to look at ways in which provocative messages could be sent directly (and anonymously) from one device to another through the use of proximity and a sharp, scolding directional gesture.

Created in collaboration with Daniel Lara and Scott Liao, our SmashBot video is an investigation into a possible dynamic that could develop between us and the devices we use. The exploration looks at how a model of course correction could be used to manipulate the function and behavior of the objects we use. Imagine instead of fixing source code or updating firmware, you simply nudge, punch or smash a device in order to let it know that it is either doing something that it shouldn’t be doing or isn’t doing something it should be. Within this scenario, the relationship between us and our devices shifts dramatically form our current model of delicate use and precious protection.

This 1 week project came directly out of the combination of our 3 midterm projects. Scott Liao’s project is about multiplicity, Daniel Lara’s was about control and mine explored force as a model for interactions.

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The continuation, in physical + interactive form, of these earlier material explorations [01] [02] [03]

This is an exploration of interactions rooted in the results of the physical manifestations of emotional outburst initially inspired by a material intended for use in situations where protection and shock absorption are required. The explorations moved into a space that begins to ask questions about how we interact with technology and the ways that we treat the digital things around us with care. The visual forms are influenced by the forms of the material, developed for function but formally, are very engaging. The sounds are displayed live from within the object that is being smashed. The signal is affected and amplified in real time to create a more engaging sense of the internal results of the action inflicted upon the object.

The resulting interactions was found to be pleasing by many of the users. Some described it as fun and others said that the action and response was therapeutic for them.

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Event Details

Monday, February 8, 2010 5:30pm
On the roof of the Art Center’s Wind Tunnel

Coordinators: Haejin Lee, Jiha Hwang, Mikey “Mikey T” Tnasuttimonkol, Alex Braidwood

Event Outline

1. People text one of 5 moods into the system. Instructions for this were located on the website pointed to by the event promotional materials (poster, FaceBook event, and promo video).
2. The system collects the text message submissions and builds the queue in real time.
3. This queue of moods is then used, in the order they were received, to determine playback of a series of video.
4. When a video plays, the goal of the real space participants is to perform as if the presented video where their conductor.
5. The instruments used are up to the participant. Questioning the definition of “instrument” is also encouraged.
6. After a video finishes playing, the next video from the list of text messaged moods is selected.

Different moods text messaged into the system result in the playback of different conductor videos

Different moods text messaged into the system result in the playback of different conductor videos

The video summary of the process for controlling and utilizing  the performance space can be viewed here.

The Event

Total Number of Participants: 23 Real Space, 14 Online

Total Number of text messages received and used to direct performance: 34 over the course of the 23 minute event

Live Event: Audio

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Download MP3

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Avatar Name: Gordon Wiskee

My favorite places to visit in Second Life (SL) are known as infohubs. I realized since I hadn’t defined a “Home” within the world yet, clicking the “Home” button would teleport me to various infohubs seemingly at random. These places ended up being where I met the people that I had the most conversations with. I would teleport in, look around for a moment and then eventually type “Hello” into the group chat. Every time, someone answered. Most times it was an experienced user who was willing to help and share their favorite things about the world. Sometimes there were jerks. So that’s the same in real life (RL) as it is in SL. But, in SL there is the ability to mute individual people which saved a couple good public conversations during my time in-world. Project Idea #1: Real Life Jerk Muting.

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