Pranamasana was an interactive projection installation wherein each user was represented as a single wave in a larger ocean of waves. You could flap your arms around and cause shallow ripples in the ocean, but I designed the project to encourage users to stand still with their palms pressed against each other near their sternum -- imitating what is known as the Prayer Pose. When you interact with it in that way, it causes your wave to grow larger and the infinite feedback loop effect in the background to twist into a really trippy spiral.
We attached a caption to the piece when we installed it which I think helps to explain the metaphor:
"When we look at the ocean, we see that each wave has a beginning and an end. A wave can be compared to other waves, and we can call it more or less beautiful, higher or lower, longer lasting or less long lasting. But if we look more deeply, we see that a wave is made of water. It would be sad if the wave did not know that it is water. It would think, 'Some day, I will have to die. This period of time is my life span, and when I arrive at the shore, I will return to nonbeing.' These notions will cause the wave fear and anguish. We have to help it remove the notions of self, person, living being, and life span if we want the wave to be free and happy. When the wave touches her true nature -- which is water -- all her complexes will cease, and she will transcend birth and death."
- Tich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings
Developed in Unity3D by Into Outof Studio. Uses Kinect 2 input.
Displayed at Indie MEGASHOW on July 15th, 2017 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta.