Frank de Jong, Pakwing Man & Eric Toering worked with professor David Kirsh and students

Moving with Interactive Design

source: youtube

Three designers visited the University of California in San Diego to collaborate in a design project. Frank de Jong, Pakwing Man & Eric Toering worked with professor David Kirsh and students from the cognitive science department to develop an interactive installation based upon the work of world famous dance choreographer Wayne McGregor.

The result is a self made installation that focusses on experience instead of functionality. By using exclusive video material as input, the installation tries to show visitors the complexity of the dance piece by using an accessible interaction. People can use their whole body to touch the Lightrail and play with light that runs through the tubes.

The installation was placed in the Sadlers Wells theater in London (United Kingdom) during the world premiere of Wayne McGregors new dance piece. About 8000 people were present during this prestigious event.
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source: frankdjnl

Client: Sadler’s Wells (London, UK). My role was managing the conceptual creative process, from the first sketch to design of the interaction. Complete installation was build in-house and has been on display for over 50.000 visitors.

CONTEXT

In October 2009, the dancepiece DYAD 1909 had its world premiere in the prestigious Sadler’s Wells theatre in London. Goal was to design an installation for the lobby, that would bring visitors into the experience of the dancepiece, and make them curious while waiting for the show to start.

DESCRIPTION

The installation is based upon the arm movement of the most important dance movement in the show. The installation is a handmade 3D representation of that movement, in which electronics are integrated for creating different layers of interaction. The installation reacts on touch, letting people use their whole body to interact with the light that flows thru the tubes. This way they move their body along the shape of the installation while playing with the behaviour of the light, and unconsciously copy one of the dance movements.