The way in which one communicates with a computer is drastically different than human to human interraction. Interface eliminates and abstracts many senses of the natural world, such as taste and smell. It readily relies on sight and sound, but the issue of touch is more interpretive. Michael Balasis's critical essay, Interface: A paradigm Shift, Observations on interface Design proposes that, "The most effective interface will be one which most closely matches the natural human senses and their reaction to visual and audible stimuli."
We tend to train ourselves to understand these interface elements, and push ourselves to navigate within a virtual realm. The experience with an interface can be so alienating that it is hard to notice exactly where the interface falls short. When trying to figure out exactly why I cannot get fully involved with computer screen, I realize that it falls short of a natural experience.
One way we physically interact with our computers is throuth the mouse. The mouse becomes an abstract extension of our fingertips. What we select or touch on the graphic window interface is a response to how we manipulate the mouse. If the mouse is our physical interface, the arrow is the digital expression of the sense of touch on the screen.
With this project I call Intertouch, I have demonstrated the lack of physical involvement with the graphic interface. The two pieces illustrate the natural reaction in the unnatural context. With the click of the mouse, it is as if the tool or the touch is actually affecting the screen. It questions the place of physicality in computation, and asks the viewer why these things are not possible through an artificial relationship.
The
idea of the interface and communication is not a new one. It has been
examined and challenged by the forefathers of the web who wondered what
kind of contact would be possible with the computer. Before we get comfortable
in our technological shoes, I repose the question: What kinds of relationships
are we capable of achieving through digital
communication?
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