Shady Business

A fundamental dilemma of human existence lies in the radical fragmentation of our perspectives and the simultaneous need for co-operation, both in the interpersonal and political sphere. The almost insurmountable fragility of a jointly constructed basis of perception that ultimately has to be somehow agreed upon favours the alienation and fragmentation of realities. The perfect breeding ground for Shady Business.

Our aim is to make it possible to experience this fluidity of our perception and, as a result, our behaviour in an interactive and playful way. We use the language of sound, music, spatial design and sculpture: Visitors to the installation can share an experience that is framed differently for each one through auditory and visual stimuli. Reactions and mutual glances become difficult to read and lead to misinterpretation and alienation. It is only by changing roles that the experience of the other person can be understood.

The interactive exhibition turns visitors into actors, as they enter a miniature playhouse wearing helmets that influence their visual and auditory experience in a radically different way. These wearable Echochambers are both handcrafted sculptures and digitally produced propaganda sound. Visitors can also interact with others by wearing one of several propaganda helmets equipped with loudspeakers. The helmet’s design, subtle messages and audio cues manipulate your own behaviour and the perception of others.