Synopsis
As an architect and designer with over seven years of experience in brand experience design, events, and exhibitions, I have dedicated my career to the exploration of interactive experiences. My work is deeply informed by a lifelong passion for art, including painting and classical sculpture, as well as a strong curiosity about the senses, psychology, neuroscience, and accessible design. My projects aim to bridge the gap between users with varying abilities, offering inclusive experiences that enhance self-awareness and engagement through the innovative integration of technology and neuroscience.
Author Biography: Mercedes Nogueira
My journey began with a profound interest in the arts from a young age, leading to formal training in painting and classical sculpture. As an architect and designer, I have honed my skills in creating immersive brand experiences and exhibitions. Over the past eight years, my focus has shifted towards the intersection of art, neuroscience, sound and interactive technology, driven by a desire to explore how positive and inclusive design can impact the human brain and behavior and mood. This multidisciplinary approach reflects my commitment to democratizing access to artistic experiences, making them more engaging and accessible to all.
Project Description
This project, originating from the course “The Artist as Neuroscientist” held in Mexico City in May 2017 at the Border Cultural Center, encapsulates a profound exploration of cognitive and behavioral patterns. By presenting a series of interactive, sensory-rich experiences, the project challenges traditional narratives of art and drama, instead promoting a positive and inclusive perspective.
Through a variety of concepts, tools, analyses, and designs, these experiences aim to enhance environments and create new realms of interaction. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, neuroscience principles, and innovative techniques, the project fosters self-awareness and deeper connections with art. It also emphasizes the importance of accessibility, striving to make these experiences available to individuals with diverse abilities, whether sensory or psychological.
Central to this endeavor is the exploration of how our brains function when exposed to positive stimuli. By questioning classical theories of art and society, the project seeks to understand and disrupt the patterns we have grown accustomed to—those embedded in our minds through the repetitive consumption of information, content, and sensory inputs. This initiative encourages participants to step back, gain perspective, and engage in activities that metaphorically and figuratively highlight the weight and significance of this cognitive material.
The project involves practical and conceptual experiences with a strong emphasis on sensory engagement. Participants will interact with various media and tools, such as:
Conceptual Elements: Colors, Words, Ideas, Music
Media and Tools: Containers with gelatinous materials, injections, spatulas, inks, Muse neurotech device.
Actions: Injecting color or ink into the gelatin, as well as injecting sound manually, and through brain waves digitally captured
Observation: Introspection, repetition, effect recognition, surgical action
In addition to manually injecting colors or inks into gelatin, participants can also interact through the use of a neurotechnology device. This device captures the spectator’s state by measuring the range of their brain waves. Based on these readings, it will execute a positive or negative sound corresponding to their emotional state while they inject the ink into the gelatin. This innovative interaction provides a deeper connection between the participant’s mental state and the artistic process.
Furthermore, the project promotes the democratization of access to art, challenging traditional norms and daily practices. By applying innovative technologies, neuroscience insights, and a wide range of materials, the project aims to create transformative and interactive experiences that cater to a broader audience, ensuring inclusivity and engagement for all.
The ultimate goal is to offer therapeutic spaces through leisure, providing impactful and transformative experiences that enrich our understanding and interaction with the world around us. By enhancing environments and settings, we can reach unexplored realms of interaction and understanding, promoting a holistic and integrative approach to art, neuroscience, technology, and self-discovery. This approach not only democratizes access to art but also leverages the full spectrum of sensory experiences, creating environments that are inclusive, engaging, and profoundly impactful.
This link below is a presentation of some projects, on-going and already presented, like Inserting patterns (Page 18)
https://app.ludus.one/02aee210-7aa0-48bb-9c7c-4596ada2dc27#21
Password: mn
Thank you very much in advance.