Body RemiXer

Description

Body RemiXer is a mixed reality installation using Kinect, projection screens and VR headset to transform participants’ bodies into ethereal virtual auras. Participants see others around them as these fluid auras of light particles. When participants touch hands, their auras become connected, beginning

to exchange the particles. After participants join both hands, their auras swap now being superimposed on over each other. This project explores the fluid boundaries of virtual embodiment, and the role of our body movements and representation in eliciting a feeling of connection.

My role

This project builds on John’s previous artistic piece. I have supported the conceptual development in close collaboration with John. I took a lead on study design and data analysis.

Collaborators

John Desnoyers
Stewart (lead artist)

Patrick
Pennefather

Bernhard Riecke

Publications

Desnoyers-Stewart, J., Stepanova, E. R., Riecke, B. E. & Pennefather, P. Body RemiXer: Extending
Bodies to Stimulate Social Connection Through an Immersive Installation. Leonardo 53, 394–400 (2020)

Pennefather, P., Rizzotti, P., Desnoyers-Stewart, J., Stepanova, K, Riecke, B., Danenkov, L., Ryzhov, V., Saroyan, J.-a., Beltran, W. & Chak, R. A Fun Palace: A Mixed Reality Event Through the Looking Glass of Cybernetics. Cybernetics and Human Knowing 27, 61–80 (2020).

Tags

Funding

“Extending Bodies to Stimulate Social Connection in an Immersive Installation”

Stepanova E.R