Abstract
In my research into the field of interactive art, I have found very few instances of the
making of interactive1 sculptures where the viewer is encouraged or enabled to take
on a creative or performative role in a dual physical / aesthetic interaction with the artwork.
In this study, I document and reflect on my own making of interactive
mechanical sculptures, which invite such an interaction with viewers. I also outline
qualitative research procedures that I follow for the capturing of users’ responses in
order to allow for an analysis of the nature of this interaction.
My point of departure is that in order to facilitate this performative interaction, the
interaction with the artworks should produce some sort of artefact stemming from the
viewer’s creative engagements. For example, a viewer's interaction with my exhibited
sculptures results in the production of sound2, to which the viewer gives agency and
which can be modified via the mechanisms of the sculpture. These mechanisms are
partly suggested by my research into antique musical automata and selected
contemporary kinetic sculpture.
My research procedure documents the making of each of my mechanical sculptures
by means of a practice-led research approach: the study further involves the testing
of these sculptures via different exhibitions and an investigation into the nature of the
responses of users and viewers.
M.Tech. (Fine Art)