This research project by Yujie Wang from MIT and Marcela Godoy from NYU Shanghai explores how to incorporate pneumatic haptic interfaces to change a garment based on social interactions.

  • What feature of the work could we specifically evolve into a technique for wearable kinetic sculpture or costume? 
    • The piece itself is already a wearable, so there are many components that are directly applicable. I really like the idea that there is a hidden layer that is revealed when the pneumatics are engaged. I am interested in surprise reveals that can draw someone’s attention. I think it could be used to present a different color scheme, texture, or shape.
  • What details of the artwork or concept are not immediately apparent and how do they inform the work?
    • There are multiple “stages” for how the piece actuates. When there is no perceived infringement on personal space, the piece does nothing. When it senses someone within personal space, it turns on an LED. And when someone is touching the piece, it begins to inflate. These are meant to be signifiers to those around that they are getting too close to the person wearing the piece.
  • Are there closely related works?
    • Yes, there are some related works in pneumatic fashion and also in environment-sensitive fashion. Some examples presented in the paper and included below.

Paper: https://caadria2021.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/caadria2021_016.pdf