Physical Computing: Sentient Forest
Sentient Forest is a multi-sensory art installation that anthropomorphizes nature. The installation allows visitors to interact with art in a tactile, auditory, and olfactory way, rather than solely visually. Ceramic mushrooms and fabricated leaves respond to touch with music, swaying movements, and vibration. The piece brings human personality to the forest, allowing visitors to connect with nature on a more personal level.
Although originally intended for visually impaired visitors, the multi-sensory piece allows for an immersive experience for all audiences (including children, and those who don’t generally connect with visual art).
The ideation and fabrication of the piece was a 9 month process. When I began, I had a few things fermenting in my mind. I had recently built a wearable for people with visual impairments that alerts the wearer to the proximity of objects with wrist vibrations. Simultaneously, I was frustrated with how much of traditional art is based solely on visual aesthetics. I wanted to take what I had learned about accessibility and apply it to an art installation with more multi-sensory aspects.
Research : precedents for multi-sensory installations, tactile art exhibits, creative instrument design, and nature-based installations, but no one had combined art, texture, audio, and smell in the way I wanted to.
Specialists : talked with specialists in the field of tactile art and design, and universal design
Prototypes I & Prototypes II : interaction, distance and capacitive touch sensors, texture, and Denver Immersive Summit
Beginning Fabrication : ceramic plants, conductive touch, leaf movement
Feedback : from my mentors and specialists
Continued Fabrication
Capacitive touch sensors : drive leaf movement
Integration Part I & Integration Part II : integrated capacitive touch sensors with corresponding motors and audio
Exhibit Design : designed the surrounding environment and sound