Mapping the Unseen

Dan Forsythe

Sight, Sound, Touch

Creation of a private communications interface based on alternate modes of communication with emphasis on three senses: SIGHT, SOUND, TOUCH.

Article will be a mini-kiosk, containing a placard: "Communicate: Senses" or similar, with a custom holder/charging station for three spherical items as follows:

(1) Off-blue sphere, eye logo supporting interfaces: VIDEO IN
TOUCH OUT
SOUND OUT

This sphere is mostly smooth, with a camera lens hole in the center of the eye logo, a set of punched holes for speaker grill, and a contained buzzer motor.

(2) Green sphere, ear logo supporting interfaces: SOUND IN

TOUCH OUT
VIDEO OUT

This sphere has one small flat side, where a video lcd is protected by plexi panel, microphone grill holes punched where the ear logo is, and a contained vibrating motor.

(3) Orange sphere, hand logo supporting interfaces: TOUCH IN

VIDEO OUT
SOUND OUT

This sphere has one small flat side, where a video lcd is protected by plexi panel, a set of punched holes for speaker grill, and a seam splitting the sphere down the middle where the two halves can be squeezed slightly +/- 1/2 cm to create switch contact for touch sensor which also illuminates shell on squeeze (possible). Hand logos are on opposite poles of the sphere denoting squeezing hand placement.

VIEWER INTERACTION:

Viewers (2-3 users) approach the stand and each pick one ball. Depending on the single input allowed by the chosen sphere, that user is limited to one form of communication with other user(s). With 3 users engaging in "conversation", all senses are used, producing a dialogue between all balls, but allowing each user to communicate in their own single language.

IMPLICATIONS:

Communication is accomplished via 2-way transferral of concepts, reactions, and actions. The various methods by which we communicate in real life encompass TOUCH, SIGHT, SOUND, yet by separating them, their existance is pronounced and allows for greater exploration of modes of communication using a limited vocabulary compared to that which we usually employ.