Woo Sok Jang
Homepage: woosoki.com
email: woosoki@woosoki.com
Pratt Institute Interactive Media Lab
Abstract
My project is an interactive installation with real time rendered effects, sound, and real element such as sand. It indirectly creates visual representation of the interactions between individuals and others in virtual human society. And, the audience will participate and experience pleasure through the experience of environments impossible in reality.
Description of Proposed Thesis Research Project
My work falls in the category of ‘Interactive Installation Arts.’ In this project, I would like to stress two things to the audience. First, my work indirectly creates visual representation of the interactions between individuals and others in human society. Second, the audience will participate and experience pleasure through the experience of environments impossible in reality.As stated, my work attempts to create visual representations of interactions via the mutual relation of boundaries between individuals and others in society. As humans basically have an instinct of self-preservation, they always have their own a variety size of invisible boundaries depending on cultural background or personality and strive for protecting them without being violated. Such invisible boundaries seem clear when forming relationship with individuals and make ceaseless efforts not to infringe others’ privacy. However, humans visit the boundaries of others depending on situations and converse with them and become friends with them by converging with them and combine their power. Humans broaden their relationships through interchange and mutual response, and through this process become a member of a society. As such, ‘the boundaries of individuals’ in the lives of humans living with in a community are independent at ordinary times, but they are considerably flexible. Corresponding to this statement, I would like to visualize human and boundary-oriented interactions on flexible liquid (the sea). Additionally, as Carl Gustav Jung, Swiss psychologist & psychiatrist , emphasized the importance of balance and harmony( Carl Jung, 1963 ) “Modern humans rely too heavily on science and logic and would benefit from integrating spirituality and appreciation of the unconscious realm.” I am willing to show the example of balance and harmony of logical programming and spiritual boundaries.Furthermore, I have always dreamed of experiencing something that I just have been dreaming through virtual reality. To this end, I would like to let the audience experience pleasure through the experience of environments that are impossible in reality. As I mentioned above, an instinct of self-protection in humans lends them to worship the capabilities of gods or super heroes who protect their boundaries under any circumstances. I would like to endow the audience with a sense of this ability by letting them experience walking into water, even if indirectly, and the transcendent abilities of changing aspects of nature as seen in the Bible or movies.In this way, my work enables the audience (participants) to naturally create their own dynamic and diverse boundaries through “interchange and protection” via interactions in virtual space and visualization. Then, they are able to learn changes regarding the relationship between others and themselves naturally through such visualized flexible interactions. In addition, they are able to obtain feelings of pleasure through the experiences of new virtual reality.
Flowchart
(Figure 1. Flowchart)
As you see in the flowchart (Figure 1.Flowchart), every process starts from Fire-wire camera. When the camera detects any movement on the stage, it triggers visual effects to execute from PC through the projector and onto the white sand. It triggers sound effects as well. On the other hand, if the motion detection is negative, it asks whether visual effects have been already executed. It decides reversion effects or reverts to the starting point of flowchart.
Interface Design/ Concept Art
(Figure 2. The Interface design)
“Fluid Boundaries ” will be installed in an exhibition space. Gypsum sand will be used as a projection surface in place of the floor. Real time sea wave effects will be projected from the Ceiling towards the white sand. People are allowed to walk on the sand space. Max Room Lighting is 18% (7fc) for experiencing effective visual image.
Funtional Example of User Experience
As soon as the participants stand on the sand the sensor installed on the ceiling will detect their movement and demonstrate the form of the sea divided in a flexible form on the sand on a real time basis . The participants will be able to drawing a painting or carve their own traces by dividing the surface of water.When there is no movement , after 3seconds, the divided water will be situated back to its original position very slowly. However, the boundaries where the participants currently stand will still preserve the form of the divided water. The marking of the boundaries made by individuals will never be converged into that of others. Only in case more than two participants are in bodily contact with each other or stand within 5cm, each boundary will be merged. It signifies sharing and exchange of two or three individual boundaries and consideration. Otherwise, individual boundaries are protected thoroughly. Audiences are also able to see shadow traces behind them along the path they have been walking or running. It is as similar as a ghost effect and represents their spiritual character and Aura. Each participant will have different a random colored trace effect to show immense variety of human beings.