Experimental interactive projects inspired by nature

Biome Map - Touch the Desert

In fall 2016, I participated in a biology desert survey trip along several desert biomes in Arizona and New Mexico.

For an exhibit based on the trip, I designed a textured map to allow viewers to feel the biomes that were visited and illustrate the path that we traveled.

NextNature - Pixels

ROLE: Technologist

With a small team of artist, I created an interactive room experience was created with a focus on the future relation between nature and humanity.

A video is projected on a wall with a Kinect sensor hanging from above the entrance. By using Processing, there is some element of play. Viewers can change the hue of the screen, pixel effect, and the video projected depending where they stand in the room. In the video, the mouse is intended to represent the viewer moving towards the projection.

Shark Sense

ROLE: Technologist

Working with other artists, we created a playful experience based on a special sense that sharks have. Sharks have electroreception, the ability to feel the electromagnetic waves of other animals.

To translate this sense to humans, a terrain was generated and built that users could touch and feel. While wearing a glove with a magnetic sensor, users would search for the hidden magnets in the landscape. When one was found, the Hall sensor in the glove would vibrate.

Biology Fairs

ROLE: Laser Specialist

For several biology based events at the Harvard Natural History Museum and MIT, I aided in laser cutting props.

In Harvard, visitors (mostly children) could draw bacteria on laser cut Mylar. Though difficult to see at first, the bacteria would glow under UV light.

In response to that earlier fair, I aided biologist Saul Nava in creating a bacteria cluster art piece at MIT with laser cut acrylic.