the pool

In the realm of creative practices, the ‘Pool’ project challenges traditional hierarchies within the creative process and power structures. The essence of this research project lies in stimulating a collective, diverse, and collaborative environment that exceeds conventional creative processes. To thoroughly explore the intricate facets of this project, it is essential to place its methodology in the larger context of the field and its established practices. Highlighting its innovative elements, challenging existing paradigms, and underscore the project’s significance in bridging gaps or pushing the boundaries of the current realm of creation is paramount.

The ‘Pool’ project disrupts conventional notions of space-making by dynamically engaging participants in the generation of space through embodied interactions. Unlike static environments, the project evolves organically as participants negotiate and co-create space with their bodies. This deliberate political act challenges the traditional power structures embedded in space- making processes, providing a platform for individuals to influence and shape their surroundings collectively. By embracing this approach, the project prompts critical reflections on how power is negotiated within creative spaces, creating a space for alternative models of collaboration and spatial agency.

hybrid pool installation

The concept of a ‘pool’ extends beyond a mere physical space; it represents a metaphorical landscape of meanings collectively crafted by participants. Each interaction – splash – within the project serves as a ripple in this metaphorical pool, influencing the overall dynamic of shared meanings. The intentional ambiguity surrounding the definition of the ‘pool’ encourages participants to engage in a continuous dialogue, reacting to one another’s interpretations and creating a rich tapestry of shared significance. This process challenges preconceived notions and allows for the emergence of diverse perspectives, fostering a fertile ground for creativity and challenging the hierarchies inherent in traditional meaning-making processes.

hybrid pool installation

A distinctive feature of the ‘Pool’ project is its ability to seamlessly integrate physical and digital bodies across different scales. The multi-scale intervention introduces a layer of complexity, where minor changes echo through the entire process. The interconnected nature of physical and digital interactions ensures that each output becomes a significant input for subsequent workshops. This periodically repetitive nature of the project emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of various elements within the creative process, reinforcing the idea that every action, regardless of scale, contributes to the holistic evolution of the project.

hybrid pool installation took place in the computer ‘pool’ @Bauhaus University Weimar

touchdesigner + arduino (ESP 8266)

This hybrid pool was designed as a result of a research focused on workshops and was installed as a final workshop and opened to experience. This research was based on workshop series that transformed and developed itself through the process in terms of contents in each workshop session. In this research, the methodological framework is an recurrent process rather than a linear one, with each step’s design decisions being influenced by the insights obtained from both quantitative and qualitative assessments from last one. The project’s sequential method guarantees that the design parts are smoothly interconnected, resulting in a unified and ongoing investigation. This design-centric approach is similar to crafting a narrative that unfolds organically, with each stage contributing a unique effect to the evolving whole. A brief insight to workshop series can be found below.

collective workshop outputs