"Feeling Arts" Interactive Art System

Originally, "Feeling Arts" was performed by the artist, Yoshihiro Kitamura himself. However, to maximize its potential, we have developed it into an interactive art system. The system enables anyone from children to the elderly, regardless of whether they have physical or mental disabilities or diseases, to enjoy creating their own 'art of light' by freely casting varied colors on the large "Feeling Arts" canvas using the suitable lighting controller, along with their favorite music. The system is composed of four types of lighting control devices -- a dial type, roller type, touch pad type, and motion detector type---and computer software that controls them. The lighting control devices can be selected according to the audience's preference, age, and disabilities. It is also possible to record every movement of the audience's manipulation of the lights synchronized with music. More than two people can manipulate the device together as well. Although the dial type device is a basic lighting controller, and the artist himself uses this to create a variety of color tones, it requires skill and experience to operate. The other three types of light controllers can be easily manipulated and programmed to reflect the manipulator's intention, allowing the color to gradually change in a very subtle way. Particularly with the touch-pad type device, the manipulator can choose the color of light to use by touching a parting of the color on the pad. Also the speed at which the color changes can be adjusted by changing the touching speed of the pad. The motion-detector type device can produce colors of light with the use of an acceleration sensor. Complicated motions of the manipulator can be simplified into several patterns of motion so that the color can be changed accordingly.
　