[contemplace]

theory

technology

installation

demo

"Inhabited space transcends geometric space."

Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space

contemplace is a spatial personality that redesigns itself dynamically according to its conversations with its visitors. sometimes welcoming, sometimes shy, and sometimes hostile, contemplace's mood is apparent through a display of projected graphics, spatial sound, and physical motion. contemplace is an environment in which inhabitation becomes a two-way dialogue.

contemplace is an exploration of possible interactions between people and the spaces they inhabit. typically, built spaces are passive shells that rely on their inhabitants to provide them with character. what would our spaces be like if they could receive their visitors like a human host?

contemplace's visual displays and overall structure are built with processing, a java-based programming platform. contemplace's sounds are generated by max/msp, a graphical programming environment for manipulating sound. processing and max/msp communicate via flosc, a java server designed by ben chun to allow communication between OSC/XML-compatible programs over IP. visitor presence and motion is detected by a webcam and pressure sensors. the same electronic circuit that monitors the pressure sensors also drives a motor that raises and lowers the ceiling with contemplace's mood swings.

contemplace was my master's thesis at NYU-ITP; you can view my thesis process notes here.