Do you know you are not a human?
“Do you know you are not a human?” is an immersive audiovisual installation exploring the spiritual connection between humans and animals, inspired by the bond between Luisa and her dog, Aby. The work draws from concepts of non-verbal communication, evolution, and consciousness, visualizing particles extracted from photographs that merge and transform in response to live sound design. The installation combines custom-coded visuals, generative audio created from field recordings, and projection mapping onto a sculptural form, creating an alternate realm that invites contemplation of interconnectedness, memory, and the origins of life.
The visual component was developed in TouchDesigner using a particle system derived from pixels extracted from personal photographs. Each pixel was mapped to a geometric instance that could be manipulated in three-dimensional space, enabling the creation of evolving forms responsive to sound. The particle movements were controlled using noise textures and audio-reactive thresholds. The sound design was created in Max/MSP and Ableton Live using granular synthesis applied to field recordings of the artist and her dog. Individual samples were transformed into playable instruments using custom Max/MSP patches that detected pitch, enabled re-pitching, and allowed granular looping and manipulation. The final composition exists in two versions—one rhythmic and percussive, one ambient—both synchronized with the visuals. A live performance element featured hand-controlled projection mapping onto the sculpture, allowing real-time interaction without sensors or pre-programmed automation. The entire installation was presented in the Wave Cave gallery at CalArts as a looped audiovisual experience with 4-minute duration.
Sculpture design and photography by aJaeCea Carlie. Additional supervision and mentoring by Ajay Kapur, Tom Leeser, Kai-Luen Liang, Michael Leisz, and Eric Heep. MFA thesis project presented at the Wave Cave, California Institute of the Arts, 2023.