Ajna was an artistic performance piece developed during a 1-week introductory programming course. The task was to design an unconventional and out-of-the-box interaction between humans and computers. The project aimed to explore the boundaries between the real and the unreal, as well as the artificial and the natural.
By delving deeper into the meaning of computing and language, the team sought to completely reimagine the understanding of intelligence and what constitutes a computer. They created a system where the human body became the key to the entire system after ingesting a symbolic pill. This concept transformed the individual into the computer itself. Input was detached from traditional language or mathematics, and output was no longer functional in the conventional sense. Instead, different gestures and forms of touch evoked particular visual responses, creating a psychosomatic experience for the audience.
The interpretation of these visuals was left open to the viewers, alluding to the complexity of universal knowledge and the irrational psyche of the human brain. The concept challenged conventional ideas of machine intelligence and how computers function, offering a glimpse into a future where interactions with modern intelligence are deeply connected to bodily experiences.
The wearable device was constructed using copper wires and included an Arduino breadboard attached to the participant's back. The copper wires were designed to mimic veins, symbolizing the acquisition of abnormal power and the ability to perform “magic” through simple finger touches. Two copper wires functioned as a button, completing the circuit and triggering a Processing sketch. This setup merged human touch with machine output in a surreal and immersive way.
By integrating human gestures with technology, the project redefined the boundaries of human-computer interaction. It invited audiences to reflect on the fluidity between artificial and natural intelligence, emphasizing how modern systems might evolve to interact with humans on a deeply physical and sensory level.
