PROJECT DESCRIPTION
"A Face to Open Doors" is an immersive creation by Anagram, commissioned by the Imperial War Museum in London as part of their series on Refugee issues. This experiential journey beckons visitors to contemplate the mechanisms governing the reception of individuals escaping conflict. Transporting them to a speculative future, the experience unveils a world where the regulation of global migration is entrusted to sentient machines.
Upon entering the installation, audience members are confronted with an interactive mirror-based display, which shows them video content and interprets the emotional response as expressed by their facial features. It uses this information on emotional response to 'sort' the audience member, and also to control a branching video narrative interrogating their relationship to immigration.
MY ROLE
In this project, I developed the mirror-based interface concept, which used iPads running native applications, mounted flush beneath two-way mirrors. To achieve the facial expression analysis, I wrote bespoke emotional affect recognition software, using the front-facing depth camera as an input source. I also wrote and configured the custom branching video control software, to allow for seamless transitions and branching narratives.
As a means of addressing covid-related concerns regarding installation management, all systems were also configured for remote control via a network-paired iPhone, reducing the need for on-site staff.
