ENLIGHTEN

Why

Based on conversations and observations I had on a set of 10 different people, I realize that our interactions with machines are limited for the same peripherals we have used for the last 50 years. I challenged myself to change the input of a system in order to promote different behaviors. This way we think out of the box filled with mouse, keyboard and touchscreens.

What is this...

Enlighten is a lighting installation where users are able to control illumination with their interactions with the flame of a candle. 16 bulbs fade in and out meanwhile the user clap, blow, sing and play with fire in ways people have forgotten.

This installation explores the user interaction with an organic and real physical phenomenon that can be used as an input for controllers and daily interfaces. Considering the fire as an input, I designed and implemented hardware to detect its direction, magnitude, speed, temperature, shape, and color. All these features changed with little disturbances from the users and were represented on the lighting above them. This approach allows to receive natural feedback from the flame and delivered an environment suitable for multi-user experiences.

Imagine how natural would be to control external devices with a natural phenomenon as water, fire, wind, and many more.

Enlighten was exhibited at ITP Winter Show 2017 at NYU.

how…

I started by analyzing the interactions we have with daily objects. Most of them are mechanical and require our hands to push, slide, pull, pinch, scratch and more. However, when it comes to flames many people approach it in various manners. This is because we are interacting with the air around the flame and not directly with the heat source. The flame becomes a physical and visual representation of the air we are moving around, delivering immediate feedback in terms of heat, movement, noise, size, etc.

I designed a grid of light sensors that measures the direction and intensity of the flame. So, I was able to detect any change in movement or disturbance and represent it on the lighting of the space. On the other hand, these 16 light bulbs were connected to a 16 channel dimmer that allowed me to control each intensity individually.

MY ROLE: Director