Justin Restauri
Leslie Lin

Squeeze Play

Through the combination of sound, touch, and motion, "Squeeze Play" transforms a pocket of the utilitarian floor occupied by ITP into a space for play, creation, and cooperation.

Classes
Introduction to Physical Computing


"Squeeze Play" combines sound, touch, and movement to transform a pocket of the utilitarian floor occupied by ITP into a space for play, creation, and cooperation. Inspired by the work of Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto, "Squeeze Play" consists of numerous weighted, colorful nylon tubes, suspended from the ceiling's scaffolds at varying heights. Situated near the bottom of each tube is a durable, spongy force sensitive resistor (FSR). When squeezed, the FSR triggers a unique rhythmic, instrumental, or vocal audio sample.



For its users, the installation provides a multi-sensory, interactive experience. As they grab the tubes, users receive immediate aural feedback, which they can control and manipulate tactilely with the strength and speed of their squeeze. Upon release, the tubes gently bounce up and down, creating an illusion of rhythmic movement. The size and design of "Squeeze Play" also encourages multiple users to participate in the experience and "perform" cooperatively across the length of the installation.



"Squeeze Play" is a collaborative project from Leslie Lin (leslieslin.com) and Justin Restauri (justinr.me). It was originally designed for their Introduction to Physical Computing class.