Sym
Sym is an immersive interactive environment where movement shapes a surrounding digital landscape. Premiering at the 5th Art and Science International Exhibition at the National Museum of China, the installation features full wall and floor projections that respond instantly to visitors' actions. Ceiling-mounted cameras with custom optical flow algorithms track movement throughout the space, translating physical gestures into cascades of abstract geometric shapes that flow with nature-inspired patterns.
The installation opened with a special performance featuring dancers whose choreography showcased the system's responsiveness. Following this, Sym became a playground where visitors—especially children—discovered the joy of collaborative creation through physical play, running through the space and creating intersecting waves of visual patterns.
Concept
The name "Sym," meaning togetherness, reflects how this work brings people together in shared creative experience. Even when filled with seemingly chaotic activity, the resulting visual composition maintains a harmonious quality as diverse movements integrate into a unified field. This demonstrates a key aspect of the work: that individual expression and collective harmony can coexist, with each person's unique contribution becoming part of a greater whole.
Technical Details
Built in Unity with custom HLSL shaders, Sym's visual elements behave with the fluidity of natural phenomena—similar to schools of fish, wind rippling through grass, or water flowing around obstacles. This biomimetic approach creates a visual environment that feels simultaneously digital and organic.
A distinctive challenge was installing this system entirely remotely due to travel restrictions, requiring robust software that on-site staff could configure with remote guidance.
Credits
Concept, Visual Design and Implementation: Osman Koç
Exhibition: AS-Helix: The 5th Art and Science International Exhibition and Symposium
Venue: National Museum of China, Beijing, China
Sym transforms exhibition spaces into collaborative playgrounds where visitors become active co-creators of an ever-evolving digital landscape.