Tree of Changes
Maker Faire Bay Area 2015
MAKER
Yael Braha
Originally from Rome, Italy, Yael is an Artist, Creative Director, Designer, Filmmaker, and Teacher. She loves designing and building interactive installations. Her work has been exhibited in various Museums, Orchestra Halls, and Art Galleries
The Tree analyzes sentiments and speech in real-time and visualizes each wish by illuminating the tree as it travels to its destination. The Tree becomes more vibrant and alive with light and ambient sound as wishes are aggregated through the canopy.
What inspired you to make this project?:
In general, I am constantly inspired to design and build interactive installations that provide some playful interactivity and make a strong impression in people. In particular, when working on this project, the Tree of Changes, I was inspired by:
1. The Wish Tree: A practice common in various cultural traditions that involves appending small pieces of paper containing a wish or offering on a tree which is identified as possessing special spiritual values.
2. Neuronal networks: Synapses are used by neurons to exchange information with other neurons in the network. Similarly, people move constantly at high velocity - physically, mentally, emotionally - exchanging communications and energy. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all part of a larger neuronal network.
3. I Ching: “The Book of Changes”.
