Thesis Proposal 02

The Second idea that I propose is to create an interactive art installation. The space will be a visual and auditory experience for the user, with the aim of giving them a relaxing calming space to switch off from the pressures and worries of the world around. The installation idea is losely based around the the princible of Shavasana (śavāsana). This is a relaxing yoga posture used to help people to relax reducing stress and tension. It is intended to rejuvenate mind body and spirit. In yoga practice, one is usually guided into the relaxation by the teacher, through a series of narrative mediation and visualisations aimed at helping the body to relieve tension. My objective is to create a space that promotes the feeling experienced in Shavasana. A version of the happy safe space found in this pose, to allow the user to relax and breathe for a short time and leaving them feel refreshed and rejuvinated. I propose to do this by having a touch screen installation with the choice for the user to pick, then a room with a relaxing chair with a video piece projected onto three screens with surround sound. The user will view a short visual piece made up of images and or typography, and the user is guided through the video with a spoken visualisation and or a piece of music. There will be four options for the user to choose for example the four elements earth air wind and fire , the user will be able to choose the voice they wish to hear, if they want typography on screen and if they want music. These will all be interchangable so that the user has some influence over the type of experience they will have. Once these are choosen, they will enter the room sit down relax and enjoy their visual experience hopefully feeliing relaxed and refreshed afterward. I propose to build the images and narrative from research of yoga students and teachers and their experience and a wider audience to build a generic view of a peaceful calming space. I propose to do this through questionaires interviews and possibly cultural probes and then to test my prototype images throught the use of biodynamic feed back. Please see the sketches below. During my research I found this link for the swiss artist Piplotti reist who is in the process of creating an art installation for the moma. http://moma.org/exhibitions/exhibitions.php?id=9760