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What did you learn from the process?
QW: We learnt that setting the context up for our object is very important. If we do not have an isolated set-up/scenario that leads our audience into a gloomy mood, they may take the object as a laughing matter and pull out the tissues just to see how the mechanical voice sounds and what it will say. Hence, we need to give the audience more time and space to get into the right frame of mind so that they can treat our object seriously.
ZK: Before Body Storming, I thought that our object was pretty straightforward in terms of concept and interactivity, but afterwards, I realised that we needed to provide context / curate the environment around our object in order for people to truly understand and empathise with it. On the other hand, some people may not be able to empathise with our work because they have not lost someone.
What surprised you while going through the process?
QW: Even though our tester pulled out more tissues subsequently to see what the box will say, we were surprised that there was the desire to hear more and if we set up a right context, we believe that we can get the audience to pull out the tissues not because they just wanted to tease the box but because they really desired comfort.
We also realised that since a tissue will replace another tissue when one is being pulled out, we cannot use an IR sensor (which we were planning to) since a tissue will always interrupt the laser and cause it to constantly trigger the sound.
Because we didn’t have actual tissues for the session, we used toilet paper and that made the object easier to be taken as a comical one so we now know to be more careful about the materials used.
ZK: I was mostly surprised that the type of tissue used would affect how our tester perceived our work (Man Wei felt that toilet paper wasn’t sad at all and instead reminded her of the toilet).
- How can your apply what you have discovered to the designing of your installation?
QW: We plan to set up a context and isolate the audience using a tent and with a more cosy setting (blanket, pillow etc.) so as to give them time to explore their own emotions and interact with our object in a right frame of mind.
We plan to use a photocell that pops out from the opening instead to trigger the sound so that every time a person reaches for the tissue, the recording plays.
ZK: If possible, the tent would mimic a bedroom, or at least an incredibly intimate space, as that is where most people cry / use tissues! We could also play soft, low frequency music that’s kinda like those you hear in art galleries / installations. Personally, I feel that that kind of sound helps to immerse me if the installation is supposed to be a reflective / meditative experience.
We will also dress up the tissue box, and maybe use fancy tissue paper (heavier gsm, patterned) to add to the whole experience.