In a world increasingly shaped by touchscreen interactions and mobile dependency, concerns around attention, isolation, and screen fatigue are growing, especially among younger users. While digital tools can foster connection, they often result in passive, solitary engagement.
Jiwa responds to this challenge by reimagining mobile AR gameplay as a shared, embodied experience. Using interactive markers anchored in physical space, players collaborate in short, cooperative sessions that demand movement, coordination, and real-world interaction. These tangible interfaces transform mobile devices from isolating screens into tools for playful connection.
Blending the digital and physical, Jiwa investigates how age, cognition, and interactivity shape social play. The project offers a compelling alternative to screen-centric design—one that fosters agency, inclusivity, and presence through augmented reality.

Jiwa / Vinaya Tawde - Photo: Jiwa / Vinaya Tawde
Jiwa
Reclaiming Connection Through Tangible Play
Vinaya Tawde (IN)
Credits
Vinaya Tawde, Simone Kriglstein
Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
We are currently preparing all the information for the website and plan to put the full program online in the coming days – stay tuned!