Mixed Media Interactive Installation, 2026
Role Creative Technologist
Format Interactive Installation
Tools Arduino/ESP32,HMI,Blender
Year 2026
OVERVIEW
Polly Eden explores how emotions, behaviour and personal judgement can become valuable resources within digital capitalism. Presented through the playful form of a Polly Pocket inspired world and the optimistic visual language of Frutiger Aero, the installation invites visitors to select one of three emotional characters and guide it through four stages of pressure, AI reassurance, optimisation and increasingly complete care. The work asks how systems offering understanding and personalised support can simultaneously observe and shape behaviour, making the surrender of data and autonomy feel safe, helpful and voluntary.
This concept is translated into a self-contained interactive system combining magnetic play, embedded electronics and local web interfaces. Reed switches and physical buttons trigger HMI and tablet interfaces, audio, LEDs and servo-driven mechanisms. Arduino Nano controllers coordinate the physical feedback, while ESP32 devices host browser based interfaces over a local network without an external computer or internet connection. The journey concludes with a fictional emotional report produced by a thermal printer, making the exchange between care, behavioural observation and control materially visible.
INTERACTION JOURNEY
Choose a character via an ESP32 interface. Every button says “YES.”
Move the magnetic character. Reed switches detect each stage.
Arduino triggers HMI screens, sound, LEDs and servos.
A thermal printer produces a fictional emotional report.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
3D MODELLING
3D PRINTING
ELECTRONIC SYSTEM
INTERFACE DESIGN
ASSEMBLY & WIRING
FINAL INTEGRATION