The Feedback Acceleration Laboratory (FAL) enabled SustEnance Productions (Lynne Sanderson and Peter Sansom) to conduct research into the technical and behavioural elements of realworld interactivity.

We have done a series of experiments to find the most suitable methods of creating a physically interactive space. This has involved investigating various midi and video software and methods of interaction between audio/visual/artist and audience.

The interfaces we created were tested on volunteers. The results yielded unexpected results. People reacted differently than expected making us think about the amount of control the user has over the outcome of the artwork. The experience of the interactive is a major contributing factor to communicating the idea.

We came to the conclusion that the psychological aspects of the approach to the interface and the way in which people interacted with the artwork, ie. the physicality/motion, are an integral part of the concept of an interactive installation.

The Feedback Acceleration Laboratory (FAL) was made possible through development funding from the New Media Arts fund of the Australia Council.

©Sanderson/Sansom 2001