Every piece of art I create begins with a core focus on interactivity. In this article, I will walk you through my creative process—how I design, prototype, curate, and finally, present interactive sculptures and installations. Each step in my process is crucial, as it allows me to create art that encourages audience participation, making it personal and unique for each viewer.
What does interactive art means?
Whenever I describe my work as interactive, I am often asked, “What does interactive art means?” To me, interactive art is all about creating systems where the viewer becomes part of the artwork. I design these systems to allow people to engage with the artwork in real-time. Their actions have a direct impact on the output, meaning that the experience becomes deeply personal and cannot be replicated exactly the same way again.
I find this aspect of interactivity incredibly powerful—it turns viewers into co-creators. This is a key principle of my creative process.
The Key Elements of My Creative Process
| Creative Process Stage | Focus | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Inspiration | Human behavior, environment, existence | Observational studies |
| Prototyping | Engineering, coding, puzzle-solving | Sketches, system visualization |
| Curating | Refining outputs, testing interactivity | Prototypes, experiments |
| Formatting | Defining final form and medium | Touchdesigner, Javascript, Python, C++, Electronic Components etc. |
Inspiration: Observing Human Behavior and Existence
At the beginning of my creative process, inspiration comes from observing people—the way they interact with each other and their surroundings. I’m fascinated by how human behavior is influenced by external factors and environments. This curiosity fuels my passion for creating interactive artworks that provoke deeper thoughts about existence and reality.
Each piece of art begins with an artistic context. I reflect on philosophical questions about human existence, emotions, and interactions, and then I seek ways to express these ideas through technology.
Prototyping: Where Technology Meets Art
The next phase is prototyping, which I consider the most critical step of my creative process. Here, I start by sketching out my ideas or visualizing potential systems that will form the foundation of the artwork. Prototyping usually involves coding and engineering, as I like to build systems that merge technology with art.
One unique aspect of my prototyping process is that I often build puzzles using software I’ve developed in the past. By combining different pieces, I explore new creative avenues and possibilities. This iterative exploration helps me understand the relationship between technology and artistic expression.
For example, when I develop interactive installations, I use various coding platforms like Touchdesigner or write custom software from scratch. My goal is to explore the potential outputs of these systems, always with an eye on how the viewers’ interactions will shape the final result.
Curating: Refining and Experimenting with Outputs
Once I have developed a prototype and observed its possible outputs, I enter the curating phase. This is where I explore which results resonate most with my curiosity or answer the philosophical questions that inspired the artwork in the first place.
During this stage, I experiment extensively. For me, each artwork is an ongoing experiment—I’m not just creating to observe but to understand. By observing how people interact with my prototypes, I gain valuable insights into human behavior, emotions, and reactions. These insights, in turn, help me refine the artwork further.
Formatting: Choosing the Right Medium and Tools
The final stage of my creative process is formatting. At this point, I decide how the artwork should take its final form—whether it will be a digital experience, an interactive sculpture, or a large-scale installation. The format of the artwork is crucial because it dictates how viewers will engage with it.
I carefully choose the tools and software that best support my vision. Sometimes I use web applications (such as writing code in React.js), while at other times, I prefer platforms like Touchdesigner. In some cases, I even build custom software from scratch to ensure that the artwork aligns with my artistic goal.
For me, optimization is key. I need to make sure that the format conveys the intended message and evokes the desired response from the viewers.
Tools Used in the Creative Process
| Stage | Tools | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Prototyping | Touchdesigner, Custom Code, Engineering | System visualization and testing |
| Curating | Prototypes, Experiments | Refining artistic output |
| Formatting | Web apps, Digital platforms, Prints, Sculptures | Finalizing the interactive experience |
The Evolving Nature of Interactive Art
Even after an artwork is completed and displayed, my creative process doesn’t truly end. I continue to observe how people interact with the piece, and these interactions often lead to new ideas, questions, or revelations. I believe that my art is a continuous exploration of reality, and through Saphire Labs, I push the boundaries of what is possible by merging art and technology.
Each project opens a new dialogue about how we perceive the world around us and how we interact with machines. Ultimately, my goal is to provoke thought and encourage viewers to reflect on their own existence and how they perceive reality.
The Future of Art and Technology
In summary, my creative process is a journey through which technology, art, and human behavior intersect. By designing interactive systems, I invite the viewer to become part of the artwork, creating deeply personal experiences that challenge perceptions of reality. My process—from inspiration and prototyping to curating and formatting—is an ongoing experiment that allows me to explore new ideas and insights.
As I continue to push the boundaries of interactive art, I am excited to see where this evolving dialogue between art and technology will lead.
By sharing my creative process, I hope to inspire others to think critically about the relationship between technology and artistic expression. Stay tuned for more projects and research from Saphire Labs, where I will continue to explore these exciting intersections.
