Project Type
Individual Project
Interactive Installation Ddesign
The faded
Introduction
mY ROLE
Duration
Contemporary urban designs, food, and fashion trends are increasingly homogenizing, contributing to the gradual disappearance of traditional cultures. I recognize that cultural homogenization and the dominance of mainstream culture in cultural transmission are suppressing and weakening minority cultures. This awareness inspired me to conceive an interactive device that symbolizes cultural transmission through the mutual conversion of environmental sound and light. In this process, signals gradually attenuate, serving as a metaphor for potential cultural homogenization. It resonates with minority cultural groups, encouraging people to protect their region's unique culture and resist the cultural uniformity trends of globalization.
Interview
Interaction Design
Modeling
Prototype Fabrication
Test
Curation
10/05/2023 - 11/30/2023
Demo link: https://youtu.be/hFcMC9ztlRA
Background
Dominant Role of Mainstream Culture
Why do people follow mainstream culture
Styles of architectures in China
We can see from these examples that local and indigenous cultures are losing their authenticity in favor of the dominant norms and values.
The diminishing influence of diverse cultures by mainstream culture leads to cultural homogenization.
My Speculative thinking: If this phenomenon were to undergo extreme development:
It is possible that
no culture diversity can be remained.
All unique cultural practices may be destroyed. We may have a monocultural world someday.
Zlama, 16, says “I received Chinese education, because I must learn Chinese well in order to have a better academic and career development.”
Global culture
Social identity theory and group dynamics theory offer explanations for why individuals tend to conform to the mainstream, resulting in a gradual move towards homogenization.
Music
Social media
Literature
Film and TV series
Lei, 45, says “People are increasingly influenced by Western cultures, perceiving international-style buildings as symbols of modernity. However, traditional-style buildings are becoming less prevalent in the city.”
Social Identity Theory proposed by Tajfel and Turner (1979)
Group Dynamics Theory proposed by Sherif et al. (1936)
Social Identity Theory suggests that individuals define themselves by associating with specific social groups. In this context, the inclination to follow the mainstream can be explained as a means of fulfilling the need for social identity.
Group Dynamics Theory emphasizes the interactions and collective behaviors among individuals within a group. Within this framework, individuals tend to be influenced by social pressures, choosing to align with the mainstream to conform to social norms within the group.
Social media
News reporting
Propaganda
Education
Sinicization of Tibetan Culture
These aspects have already been dominated by mainstream culture, leading to the potential influence and marginalization of the traditions and distinctive features of minority cultures. At times, this influence may even result in the loss or dilution of these cultures.
Shaping Societal Perceptions through Media
Consolidating Power
emphasize mainstream ideas
The mainstream culture in an individual's mind is being reinforced.
Individuals
Dominating the media
Imposing views
The existing cultural transmission methods, despite being multiple, still contribute to a sense of singularity or uniformity.
MY Inspiration
StoryBoard
Ideation
In the ongoing spread of culture, influences of mainstream culture like cultural imperialism act as filters, eroding local distinctiveness and promoting a homogenized cultural landscape.
I am inspired to raise awareness among people, especially people in minority groups about the dangers of cultural homogenization, encouraging them to embrace and safeguard their unique cultural heritage.
Transmission and Dilution of Culture
Transmission and Dilution of Light and Sound Signals
How might we employ signal transmission and reduction to illustrate the cultural diversity erosion resulting from the singularity in cultural communication?
In the end, only brightness and volume can be captured.
The device emits subtle white light and faint sound at the same frequency.
As a person walks by, the lights exhibit a ring-by-ring dynamic flow effect.
The louder the person's voice, the brighter the light becomes white.
At the same time, the device emits a stronger sound at the same frequency.
“￥%&*@……&*”
The sound emitted by another person passing by makes the light brighter and the sound stronger.
When a person leaves, the light dims, and the sound weakens slightly.
When another person stops speaking, the light dims, and the sound weakens further.
Gradually, it returns to its initial state, with very faint light and sound.
Light Input
Sound Input
White Light Output
1000HZ Sound Output
Light Brightness
Brightness and Color
Frequency and volume
Brightness
Volume
Volume
Using the metaphor of signal transmission and loss, I depict the dissemination and attrition of culture. In the continuous transformation of sound and light signals, my device functions like a filter, extracting details such as sound frequencies and light colors, while preserving only the volume of sound and the intensity of light.
The installation system
Prototype
Code: Standard Firmata
Arduino UNO
Arduino UNO
TouchDesigner
Code: 1
Arduino UNO
Code: 2
LED circuit planning
12v battery
12v LED
TIP120
photoresistor
Speaker
Microphone
Ultrasonic sensor
When the ultrasonic sensor detects an object beyond 50cm, the LED strip will sequentially light up in a circular pattern, repeating this cycle.
Map the analog signal from the light-sensitive resistor to the volume range of the speaker. Ultimately, achieve the effect that as the analog signal from the light-sensitive resistor decreases, the speaker volume increases.
Code 1
Code 2
Physical Model Manufacturing
Tests of Electronic Components
Welding, and Painting of Components
Assembly of Parts
Code implementation and Adjustment
SCENARIO
audience FEEDBACK
Dawa, 49, says “This device achieves the fading effect of the signal through the conversion of light and sound. When I speak, the device responds to me with both sound and light, gradually fading away afterward.”
Yoka, 19, says “I really appreciate the meaning behind this installation. As a member of a minority group, I keenly feel the impact of mainstream culture on minority cultures, much like how this installation handles sound and light.”
Light brightness and Sound Volume increasing when talking
Light brightness and Sound Volume Decreasing when stoping talking
PREPARATION