Interactive light
I’m constantly mesmerized by the various projects artists are doing these days that involve mailable light, intangible but luminous shapes and figures that respond to the touch of a user. Some good examples include “Composition on the Table” from the Intercommunication Center and the multi-touch sensor panel from Jeff Han (presented at the TED talks, like so many other interesting things):
The touchscreen is so fun because it has the power of a creative blank slate, but is so intuitive in use. I’d love to see this type of thing as public art – a canvas connected to anyone who has a creative impulse at the time, with the result of a spontaneous beautiful image for the rest of us, even if it only lasts a few seconds. What would happen if a city allowed its residents to walk up to a touch panel and create whatever they wanted – artwork which would be projected live into a huge public space for everyone’s enjoyment? (Setting aside the obvious misuses of this – which could be hilarious too).
Tags: light, public art, touchscreen
