Chiara Blissett

The 'Bio-Actuation Interactive Interface' is a tangible re-imagination of urbanism for all to engage with, reshape, and burgeon the capacity of their engaged senses. Actuated by human presence, the installation responds to motion and physical interaction, unveiling how the body can construct the environment surrounding them, in contrast to physical boundaries restricting a person's movement and ability to engage with their surroundings.

Permanently fixed frameworks and outlined trajectories construct urban environments, through apparent, unambiguous forms and stationary walls. Humans are forced to adapt themselves to the predefined route in which physical barriers constitute, muffling the ability to be present and perceive the world through the full scope of our senses. In cities, masses of individuals cooperate to travel within pre-established trajectories of motion; the vessel, or city, is unresponsive to each existence. Individuals muted by the city's bustle inevitably seek a sense of presence, an amplification, and rejoicing in their uniqueness.

By nature, organic landscapes emanate from the entities inhabiting it and are reformed and reconstructed by mutual interactions, and around the needs of living organisms in its ecosystem. Organic landscapes also embody subjective decisions as microcosms in each natural ecosystem or macrocosm. In natural environments, the presence of each individual is amplified as each step leaves a unique impression, the space recognizing individual existence.

Curated to break down barriers between everyday objects and biology, the 'Bio-Actuation Interactive Interface' allows humans to 'communicate' with bacteria and watch the space around them morph. The bacteria showcased are genetically engineered to secrete color, the output of a chemical reaction, in this case, as a result of agitation. The interface enhances the user's state of mind as the color that is secreted is programmed for specific times of the day, evoking certain feelings, responses, and emotions, formulating a positive image for biotechnology.