Arts Thread

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly fidgeting with a pen or tapping your feet when you are feeling stressed or anxious? It is a common human instinct- a simple act of self-soothing that we have been practicing since childhood. I often sat in my room, zoning out and fidgeting with objects to relieve my stress during the complicated phase of time. This made me question how fidgeting can be used to create an interactive experience that transforms color and light- the two fundamental elements that have profound impact on our perceptions and emotions. Color and light combined can alter our mood, energy levels, and overall ambiance of a space. Luminous Solace offers a new way to engage with our most basic human impulses to interact with light and color in a therapeutic and poetic way. Luminous Solace is an interactive chromatic light installation that beckons users to embark on an exploratory journey into the soothing and comforting experience of fidgeting motions with light and colors. The installation features a tactile fidget device, designed with an assortment of textures and touch-sensitive switches for engaging haptic interactions. This device interacts with the convex diffusor, which casts a variety of colorscapes that transform in response to fidgeting motions. Participants can use the tactile switches to toggle between the five colorscape integrated into Luminous Solace. As the participant fondle and massage the fidget device with their hands, the recurrent motions influence the color dynamics, modifying its hues, patterns, dimensions, and compositions. Subsequently, these alterations permeate the encompassing space, generating a distinct manifestation of emotional comfort and tranquility. The amalgamation of tactile manipulation and luminance cultivates a serene encounter, fostering an atmosphere of calmness and equilibrium. Luminous Solace facilitates an immersive environment that encourages users to delve into the therapeutic experiences of tactile engagement while simultaneously accentuating the impact of chromatic and luminous elements on human perception and emotion. The installation provides a prospect for participants to interface with radiance via haptic and sensory modalities, thereby nurturing an enhanced interrelation amidst the sensory, body, and the mind. It enables users to partake in new therapeutic activities and to consider the connections between vibrant colors and their corresponding emotional experiences.