"The 'intentional and planned' interference of the human physical, sensational, and conscious behavior could increase the probability of new forms of creation."



Project 'Interrupted'

Degree Project, RISD, 2007
Professor, Thomas Ockerse


After engaging in a myriad of interdisciplinary courses and creative design initiatives at RISD, I became interested in the ‘intentional and planned’ interference of human physical, sensational, and intentional behaviors as they increase the probability of new forms of creation. As witnessed in the influence that bipolar disorder and epilepsy had on Van Gogh’s painting technique and the cataract that induced Monet’s unique color scheme and style in his later works, the interruption of human logic, motor skills, and senses can play a significant role in inventing new modes of creative expression. In order to test this thesis, I developed devices that artificially induce physical, sensational, and intentional interferences for the subject. Then, I conducted three experiments to test the effects of intentional interruption upon artistic expression.

Project #1, Interrupted Behavior

First, in order to test the effects of physical interruption on artistic design, I engineered a device that creates interruptions of the subjects’ intentional efforts. I designed a pen that tracks (1) the random movements of a ball in a rotating cylinder, and (2) the biological movements of a fish. Then, using this special pen, I encouraged subjects to attempt to write or sketch a body part. The physical interruption of the pen disturbs subjects’ intentions and procures unintentional results. More Info

Project #2, Interrupted Vision

In addition to the physical interference experiment, I designed a device that interrupts human vision. This head-mounted device disrupts the subject’s vision through either delaying the image or flipping it horizontally and vertically. To test the device, I recruited a diverse group of painters, ceramic artists, and graphic designers. Wearing the head-mounted gear, they painted, designed typefaces and ceramics under the altered state of vision. More Info

Project #3, Interrupted Memory

For another project related to this theme, I examined the interruptive effects of time on human memory. I asked subjects to draw a complex object. Then, once a week I requested that they recreate the object solely by memory. This project explored the possibility of new creation resulting from memory interrupted by time. More Info

Building upon the success of this experiment, I hope to expand my experiment on the intentional interruption of human motor skills, senses, and cognition toward creating a production platform to increase an designer’s potential to develop entirely new design forms. I explored the possibility of the development of a visual support device that can simulate various alternative states of vision such as color-blindness, cataracts, psychosis, and even the eyesight of insects and other animals. Using this device to provide unconventional views would increase the possibility for developing new creations.

I presented the results of this six-month ‘intentional interruption’ experiment involving interrupted pen, vision, and memory during an exhibit featured at Design Korea 2007 and the 23rd International Biennial of Graphic Design Brno 2008. And, project 'Interrupted' will be exhibited at SIGGRAPH 2008.

Exhibition: Design Korea 2007
Date: Nov., 29th, 2008-Dec., 6th, 2008
Location: COEX Atlantic Hal & Grand Ballroom, Seoul, Korea
Organized by: Korea Institute of Design Promotion
Endorsed by: International Council of Society of Industrial Design (ICSID), International Council of Graphic Design Associations (ICOGRADA)

Exhibition: the 23rd International Biennial of Graphic Design Brno 2008
Date: Jun., 17th, 2008-Oct., 19th, 2008
Location: Moravian Gallery in Brno, Czech Republic
Organized by:Moravian Gallery
Cooperating institutions: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, The South Moravian Region, The City of Brno, Brno Biennial Association, Czech Centres
Endorsed by: ICOGRADA (International Council of Graphic Design Associations)

Exhibition: SIGGRAPH 2008
Date: Aug., 12th, 2008-Aug., 14th, 2008
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Organized by: ACM SIGGRAPH