In my point of view and attitude toward interactive arts, it will be more focused on “art” than on interaction technically. Undoubtedly that interaction techniques are significantly essential to complete an interactive project. The two projects I researched for that might inspire me will be more artistic than technical.
When you type in “interaction art” on google, a webpage created by the Tate museum in London appears. Inside, it states a brief definition of interactive art, a newly emerged art form that creates some kind of communication between the artist and the audience. But in the 21st century, it will be closely related to the computer, which made interactive art so attractive and modern.
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/i/interactive-art
Art Piece 1: Borderless Museum Shanghai by TeamLab
Instead of calling it an art piece, its more like several pieces being put together and collected in a museum. Borderless Shanghai is located in Huangpu District, right beside MoCA Shanghai. The Museum was named Borderless because TeamLab wants the user to feel that all artworks inside this Museum are linked. In other words, TeamLab wants Users to feel that the Museum itself is one whole piece of work that contains different elements, styles, and interaction methods.
Inside the Museum, there are so many different methods within different locations. For example, when people get closer to one light in the space above, the light will change colour. This place consists of hundreds of “breathing lamp,” the color is constantly changing.
There are interactions around the Museum everywhere. In the central aisle on the second floor, you can interact with every element projected on the wall. They have sensors all over the ceiling and on the floor.
The main idea TeamLab wants to present in this particular exhibition is to display a message of “shortness of life.” That life is fragile and un-eternal. Using Japanese traditional animals and music to display the idea of spirit and afterlife is what TeamLab was delivering to its audience.
TeamLab named its exhibition “Borderless” because TeamLab wants users to feel “free” inside the exhibition. In other words, TeamLab is trying to let its audiences understand that the whole Museum is one big piece of artwork. All the elements generated in the central aisle on the second-floor move around in all the exhibition spaces. Therefore, this is a museum that has no borders and walls. The immersive experience TeamLab created is what made its IP successful.
I was attracted to how generative art will be a part of my final project. I really want to discover that through processing and other software maybe. This is the most novel part of interaction and interactive art.
Art Piece 2: Daniel Rozin: Mirror Series
Daniel Rosins created a series of artworks in the concept of mirror.
In this series of artwork, Daniel created a set of “mirrors” using various media. This series of works is a perfect example of combining technology and our classical understanding of art. Audiences are becoming the artist and part of the artwork. Without user interaction, the piece will be simply a plain surface of unknown organic materials. Still, when we come in front of the piece, our body and silhouette will be projected onto the artwork.I think this is a successful piece because it overturns our understanding of art by using technology. Plus, he is also a Tisch professor, so very trustworthy.
What is successful Interaction?
In my perspective, successful interaction is a close linkage built between the creator and users. When users feel the meaning of interaction, the interaction creates some kind of meaning. In interactive arts and installations, users can somehow “create” the artwork or modify the artwork during the interaction process. For example, in a classical art setting, the audience receives the authors’ message by visually adapting to the artwork. The audience interprets and analyzes the information within itself, but when an artwork is interactive, the audience can modify it and create more relation to the artist. In Borderless Museum, you understand the message TeamLab wants to inform by interacting with the elements on the wall, and they will eventually fly away or die. From that experience, you will receive the concept of Borderless.
Therefore, I think subsequent interaction forms a meaning between the audience and the artist. The audience is involved in the art piece and eventually becomes a part of the art piece.