Boundary Functions

Through research for my upcoming dissertation, (and the much closer dissertation proposal presentation) I have been feverishly researching and discovering as much new interactive works as time deems possible. Through such I have discovered an interactive designer known as Scott Snibbe. Who is responsible for a work called Boundary Functions, (see below).



Snibbe works primarily on the floor...that is to say a large proportion of his interactive works centre around an area of flooring that in someway reacts to analog input from users, passers-by, etc.

I found Boundary Functions to be of particular interest as true to the nature of 'interactive art' it explores analog human traits in a digital environment. That is to say Boundary Functions effectively creates a digital representation of something about us as individuals that, in this instance, may otherwise not have a physical presence as such.

Boundary Functions, to me, visualises that idea we all have about personal space. As can be seen from the demonstration above, this 'space' or 'boundary' adapts and changes depending on variables such as the number of people in the space, contact with these people and of course the relative position of said individuals. A simple yet intrigueing piece of visual interactive art that is, I think, capable of provoking thought in even the most casual of participants in the piece.