Performative Media : Assignment 1: Precedent Study & Critical Analysis
Performative Media
Project 1
Start from 26.9.2025
26.9.2025 - 17.10.2025 /Week 1 - Week 4
LI XIN LI / 0379305
Performative Media / Bachelor of Interactive Spatial Design
Assignment 1 : Precedent Study & Critical Analysis
Introduction:
I will form a four-person team with three other students to complete a research and critical analysis of performative media precedents, worth 20% of the course grade. The deadline is October 17, 2025. First, we will select two artists or art groups and research two significant works by each artist, for a total of four works. We will then be required to create a 10-12 minute presentation and export it as a PDF. This presentation must include three sections: "Artist Background," "Case Analysis" (four slides per work, covering six dimensions: context, purpose, technical tools, and IPO mapping), and "Reflection and Application." A reference list of at least three credible sources must also be included. The core focus will be on analyzing how the artists designed interactions in these works and how concepts and tools shape the audience experience.
WEEK 2
We are a group of four, Nuoyan, Shaiba and Obata.
Because we need to analyze four artworks by two artists, we decided after group discussion that we would split into groups of two, with each person analyzing one artist and one artwork.
After a group discussion, Nuoyan and I decided to analyze Daan Roosegaardeh and his artwork.
Daan Roosegaardeh
The core reason we chose his work is that his creations perfectly fit the essence of the medium: "the unity of action and presentation" - he does not just use technology to create static installations, but allows the media itself, such as light, shadow, fog, and interactive sensing, to "perform," transforming the audience's participation and environmental changes into dynamic components of the work, becoming the most intuitive and infectious practical example of performative media in public spaces.
In the end, we chose his "PRESENCE" and "GROW," and I was responsible for analyzing "GROW."
WEEK 3
In week three, we have completed the analysis of "Presence" and "Grow".
When I was analyzing Grow, I was a little lost, so I tried to find out more about it on its official website.
I watched the documentaries and interview videos on the official website, from which I learned a lot, such as the purpose of creating this art project.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
When I began my analysis, I noticed that Dan Roosegaarde is from the Netherlands and is the founder of Roosegaarde Studio in Rotterdam. He upholds the concept of "social design," integrating technology with environmental concerns in his work. He emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of public space and nature, and emphasizes that technology should be a "poetic" tool.
BACKGROUND & PURPOSE
Technology & Tools
"GROW" utilizes LED projection, specialized spectrum lighting, sensors, and a programmable control system. Its specific spectrum stimulates plant growth and reduces pesticide use. The tool combines science and aesthetics to create a poetic yet practical experience.
Input → Process → Output Mapping
The input is the farmland environment, plant needs, and environmental data such as light and temperature detected by sensors. The programming system then converts this data into dynamic lighting effects, adjusting the spectrum and intensity. The final output is an immersive red and blue light wave landscape on the field.
Audience Role & Experience
Spectators can move around but can only watch.
Audience Role & Experience
The work is ethereal, meditative, and hopeful, blending a sense of science fiction with a connection to the earth, creating a solemn and futuristic presentation. Visually, the work uses vast farmland as its canvas, with crimson and blue light waves slowly pulsating, evoking the rhythmic breathing of the aurora borealis. Aesthetically, the surreal visual shifts and grand scale inspire awe in the viewer, reshaping their understanding of agriculture.
Audience Role & Experience
"GROW" demonstrates the effectiveness of the fusion of art and technology. Using light as a bridge, it connects nature and technology, achieving both aesthetic and scientific objectives. Its immersive, poetic light and shadow convey the concept of "technology nourishing natural growth." Regarding interactivity and potential for improvement, while the work's visuals and concepts are powerful, audiences are primarily observers. In the future, incorporating feedback mechanisms such as sound or motion-triggered lighting effects could enhance engagement and interactivity.
REFERENCE
Doing this analysis assignment made me really get into the work "GROW". At first, I just thought it was a beautiful light installation, but as I dug deeper, I saw how technology and art mix with nature.
When I looked into the tech side, like the LED lights and sensors, I was amazed at how they not only look good but also help plants grow. It made me realize that art can be more than just pretty—it can solve real problems too.
Analyzing the aesthetic and mood also opened my eyes. The way the lights pulse like an aurora and create that dreamy atmosphere really draws people in. But I also noticed the audience mostly just watches. That made me think about how to make art more interactive. Maybe adding sound or letting people trigger light changes could make it even better.
Overall, this assignment taught me to look at art from more angles—tech, science, and how people experience it. It’s not just about what you see, but how it works and makes you feel. I’m excited to apply this thinking to other artworks in the future.
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