Deep Sync creates an interactive playground for sound and visuals in the immersive Deep Space 8K environment, inviting visitors to experiment with the correlation between psychological and physiological processes. At the center of attention is each person’s heartbeat represented via artistic sonification and visualization. In this way, the project connects human biological signals with technological and conceptual innovation. Deep Sync is one of the two winning projects of the Ars Electronica Futurelab’s internal ideas competition Ideas Expedition 2023.
“Rhythm is sound in motion. It is related to the pulse, the heartbeat, the way we breathe.
It rises and falls. It takes us into ourselves; it takes us out of ourselves.”
Edward Hirsch
Each person’s heartrate influences the application, resulting in visible and audible changes that have an impact on the collective state of the group. At the same time, the surrounding affects each individual, changing their emotional and physical state. Due to the complex interrelations, the experience is unique and personalized for each visitor constellation.
As a platform for bio-data exploration, Deep Sync also creates a research environment to advance our society’s capability of better understanding our physiological responses. The audiovisual experience is not only an invitation for self-exploration, possibly also in the context of stress management as well as anxiety or meditation tools. The Deep Sync concept also opens up new possibilities for behavioral research of group dynamics, for instance for team building occasions, as well as for studies of content perception on a biological level. Deep Sync invites every participant to wear their heart(beat) on their sleeve for 30 min to explore the possible change in interrelation with other group members. By taking heart in making the invisible visible, it paves a new way for experiencing collective synchronization on an unconscious level and encountering a new depth of empathy in the process.
The premiere of Deep Sync takes place at Deep Space 8K during this year’s Ars Electronica Festival on WED, September 6th at 11:30 am. Additionally, there will be more selected opportunities open to the public for participating in this unique experimental experience at Deep Space 8K. In case of interest, please contact deepsync@ars.electronica.art. During the duration of the Ars Electronica Festival 2023, a custom tailored version of this novel interaction application can also be tried out in the Open Futurelab area at POSTCITY.
Credits
Ars Electronica Futurelab: Susanne Kiesenhofer, Anna Oelsch, Daniel Rammer
Deep Sync is a winning project of the 2023 Ars Electronica Futurelab Ideas Expedition.
– Project in development –
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