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For this year's special "METAVERS" edition of RADAR New Media Art Festival (Romania) we created an intimate interactive audio-visual experience for the public. 

Imagined Critters, interactive installation for one participant (video projection, custom software, motion sensor, neon lights, plastic balls, ivy) 

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Concept 

At the intersection of physical and virtual space, interspecies communication is possible. Imagined Critters is an encounter with a non-human virtual entity capable of both understanding human gestures, and responding through behavioral changes. With a performative character, the interactive audio-visual installation invites the participant to explore the imagined universe through movement and initiate the first contact. 

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Imagined Critters is an interactive installation based on gesture recognition and tackles the idea of a reductionist AI understanding human behaviour. The non-human critters, that appear on screen when a person is detected, were created with the help of AI (Midjourney) and transformed into 3D characters that can respond visually to human-made gestures such as hugging, attacking, saluting and hiding. They are aware of the human presence and always follow them around the room. 

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Unique features

- Holographic first person perspective gives the impression of Trompe-l'œil. 

- Every time a new participant enters the installation space, another critter will appear on screen. 

- The critters follow the participants around the room. 

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created by Cristina Bodnărescu and George Urse 

financed by RADAR New Media Art Festival 

exhibited at the Palace of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bucharest 

October 2022

Watch the interaction below: