Mel Chin’s Knowmad

Knowmad was a collaborative effort of Mel Chin, graphic designers, and gaming engineers to create an experience that would utilize antique tribal rugs from the Middle East in combination with a video game to create “…flexible space, conceptually and personally “(Chin). In a tent with unique woven nomadic designs surrounding the console, this game allows the participant to sit and drive through thirty-six three-dimensional rooms. Each room in the game is made using these tribal rugs and force the user to notice the different variations of patterns and designs that the participant isn’t aware of. Through the system of Navigable structure, as discussed by Rokeby, the sense of freedom and discovery one feels as they tour this conceptual configuration sheds light on the tribal culture and gaming culture simultaneously.