In front of the theatre and cinema building De nieuwe Kolk in Assen, the Netherlands, the largest interactive artwork based on sensor technology has been revealed. Sensor Valley 8.0, as it is called, has been developed by Dutch Studio Roosegaarde. The permanent artwork consists of a field of light emitting pillars, that respond to the touch and movement of people passing by.
The columns are equipped with motion and touch sensors, wireless technology, sound, and LED light. The pillars of light has a kind of basic ‘respiration’ of blue light. Through movement and touch of visitors they come to life.

Sensor Valley 8.0 has also its own will: excessive touch and movement of visitors leads to more and more activity of the columns, until after an explosion of light they return to their basic breathing.

Relation
The Arts Committee of the Dutch city of Assen has chosen Daan Roosegaarde’s work to strengthen the relation between the functional architecture of the building and its entrance as a meeting place. Roosegaarde Studio is known for its interactive works, that focus on the relation between people and technology. Roosegaarde’s earlier works such as ‘Dune’ and ‘Flow 5.0’, have been exhibited at Tate Modern in London, National Art Center Tokyo and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Techno Poetry
Last year Daan Roosegaarde published the book ‘Interactive Landscapes’, which includes all of his interactive installations and in which he explains what he calls his “techno poetry”.

You can see Sensor Valley 8.0 here.