A sketch of a complex interaction in the gallery space using rope&pulley interfaces. A collection of ropes connect satellite “private” spaces to a single “public” space. Participants in the “public space” manipulate ropes connected to the “private” spaces and engage in a dialog, which consists of projected words of a conversation in both spaces. I was imagining in this sketch that a participant in the “public” space could engage in a “tug of war” with another participant in remote “private” space (and perhaps there would be partitions to further reinforce the idea of “private”). More conversations are projected on the floor in the “public” space as more participiants pull on the ropes.
Other thoughts:
- Projecting on the floor may cause some interesting effects as the light is broken up by the pulleys and the people.
- It could also be interesting to cover the pulleys with screens so new participants in the galley don’t immediately see what is happening.
- Are pulleys an appropriate interface for this? Are we limiting our possibilities by considering this interface instead of other interfaces?
- Should participants in both “public” and “private” locations be able to see what is being “said” in both locations?
- Projections could fade away after interaction stops.
- More activity (rope movement) brings a conversation “forward” (meaning on top) in the public space.