Disorientation is a study of the way in which NYC subway travelers navigate their environment. Why is it that they feel so disoriented both when navigating the station and when exiting the station above ground? I aim to employ human primal instincts in order to make the subway experience less disorienting. Specifically, locating moss on a tree is an old fashion way of locating oneself within the (literal) environment. Because of the artificial, underground environment that contains the subway, riders are disconnected from traditional, or natural, techniques of navigation. By digitally augmenting subway stations with moss to indicate direction within the station, riders can orient themselves for better navigation.
Below is the presentation I created for my Major Studio: Interactivity class.
After presenting in class, I was given a lot of great feedback. First, most of my classmates were not convinced that disorientation in a subway station is caused by our disconnection to nature. Will “moss” or its hint at direction be recognized in a subway station? Why not just put up signs to indicate cardinal direction? These are all really important considerations. I also received positive feedback. One classmate suggested that I push the project further and plant moss in a station as an installation piece. Guerilla art, anyone? Overall, I am happy with the concept that I created and with the ideation and reflection I went through during the process of its creation.
Tags: disoriented, project