Sept 27
Definition of Interaction
As I have mentioned in my Recitation 2 post, I think “[t]o me, moreover, ‘interaction’ is the process that conveys ideas. Eventually, it is the relationship between human beings rather than technology and human beings”. That was already an understanding based on readings. But after practice, I want to develop and have an improved definition of interaction (probably more in terms of artistic projects). In “What Exactly is Interactivity?”, Crawford chooses the word “conversation” and accordingly gives a concise definition of “interactivity”: “a cyclic process in which two actors alternately listen, think, and speak”. Later on, he rearranges the words and articulate more: “This process of conversation cycles back and forth, as an iterative process in which each participant in turn listens, thinks and speaks”(p5). More importantly, sometimes we can think of the “degrees of interactivity” so that “rather than either/ or proposition, we make it possible to accept that anything can be interactive” (p6). In the Introduction of Physical Computing, Crawford’s concept is summarized too. I notice the word choice of “relationship”. As I quoted in Recitation 2 post: When giving an explanation about “Intelligence Amplification”, it says “Rather than trying to imitate the autonomy of human beings, we want to support it”. and supports a human being’s autonomy by capturing and conveying a person’s expression. It counts on human beings to make the most interesting relationships and supports a human being’s autonomy by capturing and conveying a person’s expression (p. xviii, “Introduction”). To be more academic, we can also describe it as a “three-part cycle” “in computer terms: input, processing and output”, suggested by O’Sullivan and Igoe (p.XX).
Based on these, my improved definition of interaction is: a multi-actor participating process which normally conveys preset ideas and generates new messages in various relationships built by actors. Messages are conveyed through medium and received/ mutually communicated by different senses.
The Bomb (an immersive experience and installation)
Hertzian Landscapes – The interactive space of a radio spectrum
I chose two projects that I understand as interactive. The first one is The Bomb. According to VICE report, the Bomb is “an immersive film, music, and art installation that puts viewers at the center of the story of nuclear weapons”(VICE). I also put the link of the whole video in the reference. In the video, we will see this film is immersive in sense that the huge installation surrounds the audience and invites the audience who step out to use all of their senses to perceive the full story of nuclear destruction. It invites the actors (audience) to listen, to process its messages, to communicate with the surroundings. However, viewing from the surface, I think compared to the second project, the Bomb enacts a lower level of interactivity for during the process, the installation is not necessarily affected by the audience’s reaction. However immesive, it is ready-made film that doesn’t need further interaction, which is also required by this particular genre of art to serve its great purpose.
On contrary, Hertizan Landscapes demonstrates a higher level of interactivity. In the report from Creative Applications Network, Filip Visnjic describes the project as “a live visualization of the radio spectrum”, which is very concise. “It includes a digital receiver to scan large swaths of radio spectrum in near real-time and using Three.js visualises thousands of signals into a panoramic electromagnetic landscape.” More importantly, when a human being approaches the installation and moves horizontally, she enacts changes in the picture.
“Unlike visible light, waves in the radio spectrum cannot be perceived by us directly yet this space is teeming with human activity. The installation invites users to zoom in to specific frequencies by positioning themselves in front of the panorama as if controlling a radio tuner with their body, giving them a sense of walking through the spectrum.” In this case, participants are not only viewers of a ready-made product. They are effectively communicating with a project that will respon to their movement. Meanwhile, the changes engenders thoughts and curiosity in people’s minds, which enables people to create a moment in this installation that is individualized. According to my earlier defination, interaction sometimes generates new messages in the conversationg between two actors. This is what the Bomb lacks but Herzian Landscapes is endowed.
Group Project Description
Due to my late enrollment, I joined the group very late. Compared to other members, I was definitely not someone who contributed a lot. My major task was to understand members’ ideas and perform during the presentation.
Hologram Scan Light & Special Sound …… Haiyan Zhang
Out imaginary interactive product in2119 is a portable fitness device called “Fitbox”.
FITBOX poster designed by Lydia Zhao |
FITBOX model made by Anica Yue Yao |
Basically, Fitbox is a product developed on the foundation of hologram (and also AI, from my own perception). It has two modes: Workout and Support. After the user starts the machine, it first greets the user with personalized settings , communicates different messages according to the environment, such as time of the day. Whichever mode the user chooses, Fitbox will first emits scanning light to observe and record the user body’s conditions and data. Following the instructions Fitbox later gives, user does particular workout exercise. With the body conditions/ data in its memory, the box is able to exert real-time observation and therefore sets off hologram coach either to demonstrate the correct way of doing that exercise or to encourage/ push the user so that she insists on and finishes work-out. In Workout mode, Fitbox detects specific points (such as joints, shoulder) and reflects it on the hologram coach to help user better see herself and make improvements accordingly. Our project is definitely a multi-actor conversation. It must include one actor who initiates the machine, listens to its instructions, sees the correct way shown by hologram coach. The actor also must reacts to the messages sent by the Fitbox by following the instructions. The preset goal is purely to help and support the user develop better habits in daily workout, pay attention to her body conditions and adjust her way promptly. However, more personalized and specified messages are generated in the process of reacting to the user’s daily habit, body data, personal preference. Valued from different perspectives, Fitbox is an interactive project in my view. It only has a complete presentation when the other actor is in conversation.
Reference
Recitation 2 Post by Haiyan Zhang
“What exactly is interactivity?” from The Art of Interactive Design, Crawford (pages 1-5)
Physical Computing – Introduction, O’Sullivan and Igoe
“The Bomb”, a short video by VICE
“An Experience at the Heart of Nuclear Annihilation,” a report by VICE staff, on VICE
“Hertzian Landscapes – The interactive space of a radio spectrum”, written by Filip Visnjic, on CREATIVE APPLICATIONS NETWORK