Sensor Valley–  by Daan Roosegaarde

http://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/sensor-valley/photo/#sensor-valley

Sensor Valley is a large scale installation intended for a public space. It consists of  large internally lit pillars scattered across the steps of Cultural Center in Assen, Netherlands. The pillars respond, with light, color, and audio to the touch and motion of the people around it. I like how this project takes sensor data and uses it on a large scale to activate public space. Although this project isn’t completed yet, I can imagine that it would function like a public fountain. However, I would think it would succeed in engaging a larger portion of it’s audience than public fountains, which usually engage small children, their parents and the randomly adventurous.

The Tropism Well – by Poietic Lab

This project is a hybrid between fountain, sculpture and drinking fountain. This sculpture literally bends over and pours you a drink. It has a large and cleverly disguised water container as it’s base and a long tubular neck with a water pitcher attached to the end of it. When the sculpture detects the presence of viewer it will tip over and pour out a short stream of water. On one had it is hilariously impractical, but on the other it has an elegant and engaging quality. It’s purpose is somewhat of a kind and and unnecessary gesture. On the the project site they included a sketch of a whole flock of these sculptures. I really liked the idea of a conglomeration of these sculptures.

Audience– by Chris O’shea

http://www.chrisoshea.org/audience/gallery

Audience is an installation of 64 “mirror objects” that seeks to reverse and make commentary on the audience viewer relationship. Each mirror is mounted on a rotating platform that gives each mirror the appearance of being a head swivelling on a neck. Each of the mirror objects is programmed with it’s own personality, some are shy and some more gregarious. The mirrors “chat” amongst themselves as a default state. However when  a viewer is detected all the mirrors will “look” at that person. The mirrors follow the movement of a selected audience member and shine their  reflection back at them. I thought this project was the most innovative and conceptual out of all the ones I looked at. I like how the mirrors on one hand take on the appearance of the viewer, but they also have preprogrammed personalities of there own. Additionally, I enjoy the fact that this installation creates a very subjective experience; If you are being tracked only you and those in your very close proximity to you will be able see your reflection in all the mirrors. Consequentially, looking at this installation would be both a very public and private experience simultaneously.