(2019) Interactive Light & Sound Sculpture
Optical fibers, acrylic resin, LEDs, Raspberry Pi, Arduino & custom software.
“Don’t Touch Me” is an interactive sculpture that investigates the relationship between human and machine. Following the previous sculpture “Touch Me”, where the visitor is invited to touch it and interact with it, this sculpture rejects and finally disallows physical contact. When the visitor approaches its surface, it starts to emit alarming color light and sound. The pitch of the sounds is getting higher as the “intruder” gets closer. If he/she touches it, it blinks in a bright red colour and turns off. After a while, the sculpture activates again.
The white color and the form of the sculpture are inspired by the ancient Cycladic idols with a strong reference to the Sci-Fi futuristic culture.
“Don’t Touch me” is trying to explore the difficulties of human-machine interaction. People are surrounded by touch technology and they are used to interact with it in many different ways. After so many haptic devices that surround us in everyday life, how ready are we to be rejected by a machine?
In May 2019 the sculpture “Touch Me” was exhibited at Athens International Airport in collaboration with the Athens Digital Arts Festival. Towards the end of 2019, the sculpture “Don’t Touch Me” took its place. After a while, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and imposed social distancing. Touch was now “forbidden” and the title of the sculpture more true than ever. “Don’t Touch Me” was soon found alone in a deserted airport, after this terminal was temporarily closed. It remained there until August 2021 where it welcomed the first travellers that reappeared.
“Don’t Touch Me” is also suitable for outdoor exhibition.
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Meet “Don’t Touch Me” rival sculpture, “Touch Me”. |
Exhibitions:
• Μύλος Παραστατικών Τεχνών 2021, Larissa, Greece (September 17, 2021)• Volos Festival 2021, Volos, Greece (September 11, 2021)
• Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, Spata, Greece (January 31, 2020)
• Athens Digital Arts Festival Tribute, Athens, Greece (May 10, 2019)
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