Interactive Human: Influences Drugs on Body

For the course Hybrid Worlds an installation coupling the physical and virtual domain had to be made. Project groups consisted of 20 students, divided into different subgroups. Our project consisted of a body showing the influences of the drugs alcohol, paracetamol and weed.

The project is divided into the following subgroups: the skin + eyes, the heart + veins, the liver, the brain and the main body. The main body controlled the input using a RFID reader. The RFID reader is connected to a Arduino, sending its data via serial communication and a laptop to all Arduino’s of the organs. Based on the input, each organ changed its appearances. The body it self is made with a laser cutter, attaching all the organs to it.

I was part of the brain group. The brain is realized by several LED strips, soldered together. Four different brain areas are realized: the motor abilities center, the emotion center, the visualization center and the memory. The intuitive colors green, orange and red are used to visualize the influence of the drugs. A rain bow color change showed a fast change. The main structure of the brain is made out of foam, painted white. On this the LED strips are attached followed by a layer of silicon, visualizing the “wobbly” appearance of the brain.