Survey Response Part 1
After viewing my installation, I started with asking viewers short questions only requiring one-word responses. While only one person detected their emotions changing throughout the experience, the majority did feel impacted, and every participant reported feeling connected to the work. Each individual stated different memories triggered by the experience; however, each response has an underlying theme of unease and tension.
Survey Response Part 2
For the second part of my survey, participants were asked open-ended questions. Interestingly, each individual had a separate meaning associated with the piece, each response appearing to result from some prior experience in their life. Ultimately, I feel as though my installation successfully evoked an emotional response relating to a terror personal to the viewer.
The Process
Writing the Code
I spent the majority of my time coding in Processing. Starting with creating multiple arrays that move horizontally across the screen, then I programed the stripes to move in opposite directions while flowing in a greyscale pattern. To create more overstimulating visuals, I randomized the transparency and speed at which the arrays flash. Once the majority of my code was finished, I imported my photographs and randomized both the rate of change and the order in which each image appears on the screen.
Taking the Pictures
With my iPhone, I took self-portraits in my apartment and slowed the shutter speed to achieve the blurring effect. Once I was satisfied with various images, I edited the visuals using the adjustment settings on my camera roll. Then, I imported them into Photoshop where I removed the background and smoothed any issues with the blur and filters.
Creating the Space
Utilizing an open space in my apartment, I removed everything except for a single chair, TV, and noise-cancelling headphones, and I made sure the room was completely dark at the time participants viewed the installation.