The way our surroundings interact and react with us is as times something we never really consider.  Canada-based graphic designer Thibaut Sld has designed the ‘hexi’ responsive wall, a series of 60 hexagon shaped, mounted panels, which react to the movements of the people in front of the world. This self-initiated project comes as a collision of interaction, geometry and art, as the complex mechanical installation induces an aesthetically engaging result. This piece is something that can keep the viewer interested because of how varied the reaction is when you move in front of the piece. This relates the most to the slow design principle Reflect.

This project relates the most to the slow design principle Reflect because of the perceptual and emotional experiences that this can deliver for the viewer. Over the time the viewer is in front of the art work they can form a connection on their movements and how they coincide with the movements of the piece. The kinetic wall behaves in sync with whoever is directly in front of the piece; walking passed, jumping near or waving a hand in the direction of the ‘hexi’ wall induces a undulating swell and surge of independent motion. It is mesmerizing to even simply look at the waves of kinetic flow materialize  rippling in unison. You can see it countering the gestures of the man from below.

What interests me the most about this project and others like is the participation of the viewer. I’ve never been one to enjoy simple looking at art I want to be apart of it, an active participant in the work. We live in a society were all we do is look at screens, our phones, tablets, computers, etc. It bores me, it also has to do with the fact that I am someone who learns best from doing it  with my own hands I cant just read it and be 100% able to understand it. If i designed a project like this I would incorporate the slow design principle of Reflect and Engage.

I would have an interactive wall with screens on both sides where when there are two people – one on each side of the wall- their touch will result in “cracks” on the screen creating patterns throughout. The sensors inside the screen wouldn’t recognize touch unless both sides of the screen are being touched. I would have the wall divided into series of panels to that multiple sets of people could participate at once.

Johanna Bonilla-Recendez