“Reviving Connections: Redefining Urban Encounters in the Age of Recovery”

Monika Leskovar's assertion, "I have the feeling that my hands have memory," captures the essence of these collages, which explore the profound relationship between touch, memory, and architectural creation. The hands symbolize vessels of sensory exploration, embodying tactile memories formed through countless interactions with materials. The first collage highlights how physical models transform abstract ideas into tangible forms, bridging thoughts and reality through haptic feedback. The second collage emphasizes the cumulative muscle memory developed through repetitive engagement with tools and objects, underscoring the significance of hands-on learning in architectural processes. The third collage celebrates the hand as a canvas of sensory engagement, with keywords like "synesthesia," "haptic," and "embodied" representing the integration of touch and sensory perception in design. Together, these collages remind us that architecture is rooted in the tactile, where touch and memory shape our connection to materials, spaces, and the built environment.

Aperture embodies the delicate balance between concealment and revelation, where the modification of size and shape transforms spatial experiences. By controlling how light, sight, and interaction flow through openings, apertures act as dynamic thresholds that invite curiosity and engagement. The interplay of open and closed states creates layered perceptions, where what is hidden becomes as significant as what is visible. These openings frame moments of interaction, guiding focus while maintaining an element of mystery. Apertures transcend their functional role, becoming instruments of connection that reshape boundaries and challenge static notions of separation. They invite a choreography of movement, both physical and visual, as individuals navigate their presence relative to these shifting voids. In this exploration, apertures reflect the potential of design to mediate between absence and presence, offering a poetic dialogue between spaces and the people they connect.

These two drawings explore the concept of reciprocal interaction, where engagement with an object or environment provokes a dynamic response. On the left, fluid and abstract forms emanating from the figure suggest the ripple effect of action—how our gestures extend beyond ourselves, transforming space and material. On the right, the interaction becomes more intimate, as a fabric-like boundary stretches and reveals, symbolizing the delicate interplay between connection and separation. Together, these images visualize the idea of mutual influence: as we engage with our surroundings, they engage back, creating a dialogue that blurs the boundaries between self, space, and others.

The three images collectively explore the intricacies of human interaction and spatial dynamics. Proxemics Zones illustrates the layered boundaries of personal space, visualizing the concentric zones that define comfort and interaction in social encounters. The central figure is surrounded by rings, emphasizing the fluid yet structured nature of proximity in shaping human relationships. Echoes of Isolation captures the fragmentation and barriers of disconnection, using angular overlays and divided spaces to reflect the emotional and physical constraints of separation. This image evokes the tension and alienation experienced in moments of enforced solitude, resonating with post-pandemic realities. The Social Instinct portrays the innate drive for connection, with mirrored figures pushing against circular boundaries. This symbolizes the struggle to overcome barriers and reforge bonds, reflecting the resilience of human interaction. Together, these images examine the spectrum from isolation to connection, offering a profound commentary on the spaces that shape our relationships.

I took part in the 2024 Art Week to test the success of my installation in a public setting. As a city-wide event, Art Week provided the ideal platform to engage a diverse audience and explore how the installation could encourage positive interactions among strangers. The public nature of the event aligned perfectly with my goal of situating the installation in an accessible, urban space where different people could interact with it. This allowed me to observe its effectiveness in fostering renewed social engagement and well-being through spontaneous physical and visual interactions in a real-world context.

These two images depict the design and scale of the installation "Reviving Connections." The first image showcases the dual-sided functionality of the hexagonal structure, highlighting how users interact through dynamic apertures that open and close to reveal or obscure the person on the opposite side. This design facilitates playful, tactile engagement and visual interaction, fostering a sense of curiosity and connection. The second image provides a height analysis, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience, from children to adults. The installation's dimensions are carefully calibrated to create an inclusive and engaging experience, blending interaction, scale, and human-centered design seamlessly.

These images capture the vibrant interactions between people and the installation during Art Week. The playful engagement highlights the success of the design in sparking curiosity and fostering connections among strangers. From hands exploring the tactile surfaces to faces framed through dynamic apertures, the installation became a focal point for shared moments and visual interactions. The variety of users, from children to adults, reflects its accessibility and universal appeal. The mirrors and geometric patterns added depth, drawing people into the experience and encouraging both direct and indirect connections, showcasing the installation's ability to revive public engagement through sensory and visual interaction.

This assembly drawing outlines the step-by-step process for constructing the motorized screen in "Reviving Connections." It details the precise components, including mirror finish acrylic, elastic fabric, 3D printed legs, fishing wire, PIR Sensor, and SG90 Servo Motor. The guide emphasizes the technical intricacy of the motorized system, showcasing how it enables dynamic, responsive interactions in the installation.

This assembly drawing serves as a step-by-step guide for constructing the manual gear screen in the installation "Reviving Connections." It details the precise components, including mirror finish acrylic, elastic fabric, 3D printed gear pieces, and fishing wire. Each stage illustrates the sequential assembly process, ensuring clarity and accuracy in building the interactive screen mechanism.

This exploded drawing illustrates the refined design of my manually operated screen, developed after Art Week. The mechanism now links two units, allowing them to open simultaneously when a single knob is rotated. This improvement was achieved by adding an additional gear mechanism on the back and connecting the two units with a chain. The chain transmits motion from one side to the other, ensuring synchronized movement. Thus, the manual screen aligns more cohesively with the motorized version, maintaining a comparable level of dynamic interaction and visual impact. The drawing visually breaks down the components, emphasizing the mechanical precision and collaborative nature of the redesigned system.