Thesis work - Performative Interaction

Project Objectives

The aim of this thesis is to create a visual and auditory interaction space that enables various types of performative interaction.  This exploration of performative interaction will be expressed through an interactive art installation that exploits the aesthetic and ethos of a contemporary Japanese Art Movement known as SUPERFLAT.

Project Motivation

SUPERFLAT is a contemporary Japanese art movement that garnered much acclaim, and became famous internationally, in the early 2000’s.  Artist Takashi Murakami spear headed the movement and coined the phrase SUPERFLAT.  His work, and the general aesthetic of this kind of art is instantly recognizable, the highly refined and super glossy artwork take influence from anime (Japanese animated cartoons) and ukio-e (traditional Japanese block prints).  The work also pays homage to the mass production style of Andy Warhol.  Murakami also works in a factory, similar to Warhol, known as Kai-Kai Ki-Ki.  Murakami depicts outlandish cartoon characters in a neon psychedelic world.  In his work you see the Japanese culture of Kawaii (cute) juxtaposed with a bizarre and violent edge. The central idea behind this movement, that far from it being sugary kitsch, it represents Japans culture today, it exposes the strange response of a population traumatized by the bombing of Hiroshima in World War II.  Post- war Japan was struggling to understand the war, loss and devastating national trauma. Japan also lost a lot of its own identity after the war and adopted many western influences.  These issues are depicted in the cute and idealic artwork, which is laced with irony. Imagery such as a monstrous Mickey Mouse style character puking bile on a landscape is depicted as a being quite cute and colourful.

Traditionally SUPERFLAT is exhibited in a flat printed or painted 2D medium, its digital and interactive capabilities have not been fully embraced or explored.  The main drive for this research it to enrich the viewer experience, that they become performers rather than spectators within this outlandish style of art. 

Performative Interaction

Performative interaction are described by Hespanhol and Tomitsch as those created by the human participation taking place in the public space, driven by the interactive installation and designed with the objective of bringing a community together through playful experiences.  It aims to create an event where members of the public can step out of their usual circumstances and be rewarded by their actions. (Hespanhol and Tomitsch 2012)