'electric mo0ns'

With this new interaction design project that we have been assigned i have taken an increased interest on different aspects of this design field and how many thousands of ways there are for interaction design to take place.

Looking for examples that may inspire the team project i came across a project that really caught my eye and i found incredibly interesting, a project by Robert Henke & Christopher Bauder called 'electric mo0ns'. It is an installation made up of 100 white balloons floating in a darkened room. The 'balloon ballet' is created through synchronised movement and lighting in reaction to chosen music. The movement and lighting sequences can be controlled through a computer interface.

The movement of each balloon can be individually controlled, editing the formations and visuals that the piece can create. Changing the visual impact depending on different sequences or music that it is played to.

The project developed through many research stages before reaching its final form from 2001 to 2004. The early stages of the project remind me strongly of the child's pin art sculpture toys.

The installation was also used as a performance piece, using only 64 of the balloons and named 'ATOM'. The patterns and movement are manipulated to create 45-60 minute performances. The project was entered to a competition run by 'TODO', an interactive design company. They won the BIP, 'building interactive playgrounds', award due to its 'participative, spectacular and playful attitude'. It fitted in perfectly with the clubbing context of the award. The performance was shown at 'Elettrowave Festival' in Arezzo, Italy in 2006.

I think that the installation is a fascinating pieces of interactive design. The performances create atmospheres that affect peoples moods. The performances look soothing and relaxing. However i find them fascinating, having dramatic impact in a very controlled manner.

http://www.electricmoons.com/index.htm