Symforest (2009)
interactive installation

: : Exploring Body

Symforest is an interactive installation/experience manipulated by human emotion.

As a participant walk through the small dark forest in the room with a lantern, audio events (field recorded sound, narratives etc..) are activated depends on where he/she is. Galvanic Skin Response sensor, which detects emotional arousal of its holder by measuring sweat level on the skin surface, is embedded in the lantern handle; therefore, the lantern light changes its brightness depending on the emotional condition and controls audio volume. Therefore, each person has different impression of the space.

My focus in this piece is on expanding body’s memory and skin consciousness. For example, unfamiliar sense in familiarity. Nighttime often makes familiar scenes in daytime very unfamiliar. In such situation, only thing you can rely on is your body perception to explore the new space. Using full senses, you have to explore and memorize the new environment. This act of engraving the memory of experience in mind becomes “experience and familiarity” to light up the unfamiliar, darkness.

 

One autumn night, I came across one scenery after staying up late at school.
It was supposed to be my usual way home, but
There were darkness without a street lamp and subtle moonlight dimly illuminating forest edge.


I didn’t know that familiar, everyday scenery would become that different after sunset.
I felt being tricked as if I got lost into another world.


There were only my body and sound – anxious sound of heartbeat and breath.
Even though emotion doesn’t have sound, there was emotional sound.


The moment I recognized my own body volume in the ever-spreading darkness,
I realized that my body and its sound sympathize with surrounding phenomenon.


Even the sound of feet stepping leaves and whistling wind
and sound of heartbeat and breath
were sounded louder than usual because not only it was quiet, but also I was nervous.


This is a symphony between my body and space, coming through my heart.

And like a soft light of a lantern, my body slowly starts exploring the new world….

Process Notes

 

Symforest from shiori saito on Vimeo.

 

Audio used in this piece

introduction, bugs, heartbeat, narrative 1, narrative 2, walking, wind

CREDITS:

Photography: Jasmin Dosanj
Videography: Garrett Baumgartner
Forest bed: Susan Clarahan
Audio Visual + Technical support: ACAD AV service, Nick Malialis
Special Thanks: Garrett Baumgartner, Robyn Moody

MEDIA:

Software:
MAX/MSP

Hardware / Media:
Arduino Diecimila
Arduino Bluetooth
LEDs
GSR sensor
Trees + forest bed
Japanese lantern

PRESS: