Physical Computing’s Greatest Hits (and Misses)
This reading was particularly informative, offering a wide array of projects within the field of physical computing. Previously, I had never imagined that such diverse and innovative projects were feasible when I first began my journey in this field. Particularly, I was fascinated by the idea of the theremin. This was a project I had wanted to work on when I was enrolled in another class last semester. However, due to my limited knowledge at the time, I couldn’t bring my ideas to reality. Now, equipped with the skills I’ve acquired from our recent classes, I feel confident and excited about the possibility of making this project a reality. The potential to combine electronic components with musical creativity truly captures the essence of what makes physical computing so exciting.
Making Interactive Art: Set the Stage, Then Shut Up and Listen
I really liked the directness and clarity in the title of the article. It reflects a fundamental truth about design: designers are communicators, not merely speakers. They show their thoughts through their creations. As the article discusses, Interactive Art goes beyond traditional boundaries by transforming viewers into active participants. This dynamic completes the artwork, creating a shared authorship between the creator and the audience. My experience last summer in a South Korean museum demonstrated this concept. There, I saw an interactive installation where visitors could draw animals and scan them to integrate their creations into the larger display with a pre-created background. This not only made the artwork dynamic but also personal, as each visitor’s contribution became central to the artistic narrative. It was a vivid demonstration of the profound connection that interactive art can forge, drawing beauty from the synergy between the artist’s vision and the audience’s involvement.