Look down
"Look Down" is an interactive installation I created to explore the often-overlooked details beneath our feet. We rarely pay attention to the textures of the ground, yet it silently tells stories—confetti from a festival, wet pavement reflecting neon signs, or the shifting patterns of fallen leaves. I wanted to create an experience that invites people to notice and interact with these subtle yet meaningful elements of their surroundings.
Through this project, I use a pressure-sensitive pedal to trigger visual transformations of the ground beneath the participant. Stepping onto the pedal activates a chaotic yet immersive projection that reveals different ground textures in response to movement. By incorporating unpredictability, I encourage users to experiment with their interactions, discovering new visual outcomes with each step.
The installation responds to two distinct inputs, each controlling different aspects of the projection. The first sensor influences an organic, morphing shape, making it shift and pulse based on the amount of pressure applied. This shape represents the unstable and ever-changing nature of what we walk on, mimicking the randomness of scattered leaves or shifting puddles. The second sensor controls a chaotic background of randomly colored dots, which change in size and color unpredictably. These dots evoke the textures and scattered debris often found on city streets, reinforcing the idea that the ground is a dynamic canvas rather than a static surface.
To bring this idea to life, I used two ultrasonic distance sensors that measure the pressure applied by the participant’s foot. These sensors are connected to an Arduino, which continuously reads the values and transmits them to a p5.js sketch running on a computer. The first sensor's data is mapped to control the Perlin Noise Shape, altering its complexity and movement. The second sensor's data determines the background dot pattern, affecting the size and color of the dots dynamically.
The visuals are then projected onto the ground, creating a real-time, responsive experience. A pressure-sensitive pedal interface discreetly embedded into the space allows for intuitive interaction, while a projector ensures that the visuals appear directly beneath the participant’s feet, reinforcing the illusion of stepping onto shifting textures.
This data is read in p5.js, where it is mapped to control different aspects of the projection. Sensor 1 affects the organic noise-based shape, making it expand, contract, and morph dynamically. Sensor 2 alters the background dot pattern, introducing a sense of randomness by changing the dot sizes and colors.
Here is my p5.js sketch - <iframe src="https://editor.p5js.org/AnshulaSaha/full/_HznVoJKY"></iframe>
Instead of a smooth, predictable transition between states, I intentionally let the visuals become chaotic, creating an environment where users experiment rather than control the outcome. This approach enhances the sense of discovery, making each interaction unique.
"Look Down" is an exploration of perception, inviting participants to reconsider the unnoticed details of their environment. The ground is more than a surface—it’s a reflection of our surroundings, our movements, and our shared experiences. Through this project, I challenge people to engage with the familiar in unfamiliar ways, discovering the beauty in the overlooked.
By incorporating chaos, randomness, and unpredictability, I shift the focus away from control and toward exploration and curiosity. The ground beneath us is constantly changing, and so too is our experience of it.