User:Nan Wang/reading, writing and research methodologies

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'Social phobia Interactive installation'

What?

This interactive installation is a robotic object without any practical function.

The body of this robot was made of white cloth and stuffed with cutton fibre, rubber pipes and red balloons. It’s nerves system was

built by sensors, air pumps and electronic timers. I wanted to make it cell shapes and organic forms. It was in a total passive

condition in which it was not able to move but to be approached and manipulated by people.This robot carried a centern character

which is the fear of the approach of strangers.The balloon was inflated once the air pump was activated when someone is close enough

to the infrared detector. the balloons started to reacte as ancious breath, inhaling and exhaling. At the same time, the electronic timer

controlled the volume of air to prevent frequent explosions of those red balloons. But still it was facing the danger of self-destruction

through its own fear.

Why?

I extracted and amplified my personal feelings into this interactive installation. It has its own personalities, which is the anxiety and fear

with strangers. I am amazed by all kinds of imperfection、flaws、defect and mistake. Most people consider those words represent

weakness or try to avoid them. However somehow I always find it very inspired. I always could find huge visual and psychological

power when I try to amplify certain defect. In this work I try to extract and amplify some weakness from myself in order to create

something not only carry anxiety but also make the viewer stressed when its anxiety reach certain point. The approach of viewers

causing the anxious reaction of the installation, when it about to explose, most viewers chose to step away.This kind of psychological

dynamic between the viewers and the artwork is the most interesting part of every interactive work.

How?

I hand sewed all the cloth together and fill it will cotton to created the body part of this work. Use rubber pipes connect air pump

to those balloons. Connect the sensors to air pump as a commend power switch and use electronic timer to concorl the volume of

air and rhyme of timing in order to create the “breathing” illusion.

To what degree the project succeeded? How could it fail?

The intention of this project is to experiment the possibility of extract my anxiety and amplified it to the installation and seek for

the physical and psychological feedback from viewers. As far as the interaction part being the most important element of this work.

The project could be consider succeeded. However the shape and the materials I chose to construct the installation failed my expectation

of reaching the standard of very organic cell like physical appearance.

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'Self-regeneration Interactive installation with moving images and sound'

What?

This work was constructed as a 1.4 x 2 x 4 meter wooden tunnel. The end of the tunnel is a projection screen which allow me

to use moving images to built a virtual space.The virtual space is an expansion based on the physical tunnel installation, eight

life size figures of myself live in the virtual space.Those figures are mirror image of my thoughts , physical activities and

behaviors which repeat each different moment with high speed.The video was created based on the size of the tunnel space the

figures was base on the life size of myself. When audiences enter into the tunnel, while audiences come closer to the virtual space,

those eight figures will be destroyed one by one. Those figures will be regenerated later when the audiences leave the tunnel.

As long as this interaction continues, those figures will be infinitely killed and regenerated.The audio system of this installation

used eight sound producers playing individual sound track. Each sound track content heart beats, sound effect when those figures

shattered, and some background noises.

Why?

Self-regeneration is my graduation project. Most of my previous works are focus on my inner world or inspired by my own memory

or personl experience.However in my graduation project, I try to expend the context of the concept of my work. I attempted to built

a tunnel between the real physical world and my inner world, trying to explore the association and interaction between these two

worlds. How others or outside imformation affects my thoughts and my personalities. I built a virtual space , eight life size figures

live in the virtual space in a fragile status. These figures actually represent different character which are extracted from myself.

They carry my confusion, my fear, my anxiety, my ideals. They could be eassily destroied and rebuilt, as a reflaction of my metabolism

for mental or spirtual status.

How

Video:

The video was shot in front of green screen. The background is replaced For further Editing. Animated images and the virtual

background were created with 3Dmax and adobe Aftereffects.

Audio system:

The audio system of this installation used eight sound producers playing individual sound track as heart beats and sound effects

when those figures shattered.

Electronic parts and programming:

The final video were reorganized and programmed in Adobe Flash. 14 Infrared sensors were used to Connect to one USB device

then connect the USB device to the computer so that those sensors will be able to control the keyboard of computer in order to

sent command to flash project to play different videos.

To what degree the project succeeded? How could it fail?

I built an immersive enviroment, which combined space, moving images, sound and interaction.I deliver the idea and information I

wanted to express. As long as this project being interacted with one person each time. It could consider succeeded.

I try to avoid too many people enter it at same time by building a tunnel only could confortable fit for one person to walk in each time.

But actually most of the time, viewers not following the rules. So the interaction of this project become really chaotic. The image of my

figure randomly killed by multiple people at the same time. Which is not my original intention. However for me, as long as this project

attract people to participate. It’s not a huge failure. Still ,it was interesting to saw my project changed by viewers angist my intention.

What are the common concerns？