Luminous Solace

From Subconscious Fidgeting Motions to Therapeutic Modalities

Luminous Solace, 2023

630 x 330 x 615 mm

LED, plexiglass, steel, custom electronics, sensors

Luminous Solace explores the therapeutic potential of fidgeting behaviors through an interactive chromatic light installation. Rooted in the innate human tendency to fidget, this project transforms habitual fidgeting—an act commonly associated with self-comfort since childhood—into a means of manipulating the fundamental properties of color and light. These elements, known for their profound impact on perceptions, emotions, and environmental ambiance, form the core of the interaction, inviting users into a poetic engagement with light and color. 

The project facilitates an immersive experience where the interaction with light is both therapeutic and aesthetically enriching, promoting emotional well-being through a unique sensory exploration. It features a tactile fidgeting device embedded with gyro and motion sensors integrated with TinyML on Arduino, which detects a variety of fidgeting patterns. The device, equipped with touch-sensitive switches and diverse textures, provides engaging haptic feedback while controlling a convex light diffusor that dynamically alters the light’s color and intensity. 

As users interact with the device, their continuous movements modulate the generative graphics’ properties, such as hue, pattern, and composition, creating a responsive array of colors that envelop the surrounding space. This interaction between tactile stimulation and visual transformation fosters tranquility, balance, and a sense of calm, enhancing both the immediate atmosphere and the user’s emotional state.