EMBODIED
ENCOUNTERS
PROJECT CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH NEUROSCIENTIST DR. ANDREA DESANTIS AND SOFTWARE ENGINEER ANTONIO VIESTI
INTERACTIVE NEUROFEEDBACK LIGHT INSTALLATION (EEG, PPG, ML)
VARIABLE DIMENSIONS
2023- IN PROGRESS
Embodied Encounters is an interdisciplinary, immersive installation activated by participants' presence and monitored EEG/PPG readings. Real-time responses to the emotional shifts of the participants generate luminous animations, offering a reflective journey transcending aesthetics to mirror inner states, inviting transformative exploration within the immersive realm. It is a project grounded in extensive research within the realms of art, neuroscience, and emotional psychology. At its core lies the ambition to create an immersive space, comprised of delicately suspended, addressable LED light sources, which would be activated exclusively by the presence of the participants. The crux of this endeavor hinges upon the utilization of electroencephalogram (EEG) and pulse rate monitoring (PPG) readings. Participants are encouraged to don these unobtrusive sensors, whose readings enable them to actively engage in the creation of the artwork. As each individual’s emotional landscape undergoes subtle shifts, the installation responds in real-time, generating a series of luminous fragments (animations) displayed within the exhibition space, that are directly connected (and changing accordingly) to the participant's emotional states. The genesis of this project is rooted in the profound influence that light and its ambiance can exert upon the emotional tapestry of each individual. In essence, the installation was created with the aspiration to become a safe space—where one can pause, and reflect, delving into realms of suppressed emotions. It postulates that, perhaps, the essence of our being finds expression through light, offering a pathway to acceptance and a renewed emotional equilibrium—through the visual manifestation of the internal “emotional flow.” In this paradigm, the installation transcends mere aesthetics, morphing into a dynamic mirror, reflecting the participants' innermost state. It is like an open invitation for all individuals to embark on a journey of discovery, gradually unveiling the transformative potential of their emotional landscape within the immersive realm.