Somatic Object No.1

Interactive Installation | 2022

Interactive kinetic installation that uses as input the reading of some physiological data and their visual interpretation as part of a narrative about the human-natural environment relationship. In an increasingly interconnected world where IoT becomes integral part of any form of relationship, “Somatic Object” explores such a scenario where technology becomes an invisible guide to our behaviors, our physiological states, where the dynamic between control and lack of it stimulates us to question our capacity to act on the world, on nature, on species and the biases that derive from them. Technically, the installation is a bodily extension that monitors the heart rate and oxygen levels of the visitors and transfers this data (via Arduino) to some sculptures that respond and adapt in real time - a kind of immersive chorus of breaths and pulses, reminding us that binaries such as inside-outside, us/them should not be taken for granted. This transfer of state or characteristics aims to present a speculative version, in which the relationship between man and nature involves constant exchanges and negotiations, sometimes imperceptible, but always with a biunivocal impact.

Credits: Programming: Cristian Balas | Sound: Cătălin Creţu | Photo: Tudor Popa