Emergent Objects: Designing the human/technology interface through performance

This project seeks to use performance knowledge to explore and articulate the emergent nature of the interface between technology object and human that is fundamental to the development of new design thinking and practices. It uses performance perspectives to investigate the modelling of a role of design in a technological society. It asks questions about the desirable relationships between users and designed artefacts, systems and environments.

This project is concerned with investigating fluid, malleable, emerging or invisible interfaces through focussing on direct kinaesthetic engagement and playful, embodied experiences in different stages of the design process. The aim is to avoid submission to technology, whether through fetish or by disconnection, and to investigate interfaces which are responsive, which facilitate communication and expression, and which consider the users as participant-performers.

The proposal comprises three sub-projects, each investigating the interface between human and technological objects using performance practices and knowledge, but from different starting points. Snake investigates the extent of interactivity and responsivity between a designed object and a human agent. Spidercrab is concerned with design development for a robotic agent, using models and theories of performance. Hoverflies aims to design and build an interactive object which entices performative interaction and play.

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