::DESIGN
The Design is aligned to the current Code of Techno-Fetishism. Clean white surfaces combined with shiny metal. Through the translucent acrylics the technology-packed insides can be seen working and blinking.
Beautiful Design easily leads to an uncritical approach to technology. How the application is changing our habits and environment becomes nonrelevant behind the shiny shell.
Some hints for the Irony of the installation become obvious during use. While being an mobile application it confines the use to a space, in this case the first floor of Merz Akademy as it is hard to move the 20Kg downstairs. (The same is true for cell phones and the like as they need network access).
In addition, the terminal is constructed too small for the average user. Its use requires the adaption in posture.
On the lower edge of the display, the interface is located. A list of participating users can be seen on the left. On the right, there are buttons to switch between the modes: Place and edit Communication objects | View present Objects | Experimental 3d Construction | Graphiti Mode and Help. Every other interaction takes place right in 3d space.
On the pictures you can see an avatar of a user which has joined the room via the Internet. Its possible to talk to him in real time, he also inhibits a reperoire of gestures to make the encounter more human. Its also possible to collaboratively work on communication structures.
With the Web Interface of Cybersidewalk, one can navigate freely through an exact 3d Model of the Exhibiton Space. The Terminal can be seen at it's actual position, just as other avatars that have joined the scene. You have the very same possibilities of interaction as with the terminal.
As we are dealing with virtual space, I took the liberty to remove some inconvenient real world restrictions. The walls are translucent and it's possible to walk right through them.