Halloween Transmissions: Interaction Design & Machine Listening from the Diary of Anaïs Nin

Poster by Catalina Alzate

I collaborated as an interaction designer, along with Sharath Chandra, in a Machine Listening-based media installation that exposes modes of experimental reading and engagement with text, in the context of a Halloween celebration.

We used techniques of projection mapping across the room, featuring Keneth Anger's film "Inauguration of the pleasure dome" (1954), which was inspired in a Halloween Party titled "Come as your madness" celebrated in the 50s. We were specifically inspired by Anais Nïn costume. Through this project I got to know about her work and her diaries, and found her to be a great source of inspiration.

For the installation, we encoded excerpts of her diary into audio snippets that were indecipherable to humans, but understood by the Listening Machine. Visitors could play these audios from their phone and see the decoded message in the screen.

​I contributed to the interaction design of this experience, and helped to put in place the system that allowed visitors to navigate the installation, apart from working in the visual material.

Additional insights and a comprehensive description of this art installation has been already documented by Sharath in this medium post (recommended!).

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