“Tête-à-tête 22”: Mediating Intimate Relationship through Expressive Digital Interaction

ABSTRACT The interactive installation “Tête-à-tête 22” is a conversational sitting object to explore the intimate dependency in relationships that are difficult to achieve remotely. Using a pair of kinetic chairs that gradually become unstable, the installation requires its seatmates work as a team to maintain their balance. The creative technology used in “Tête-à-tête 22” facilitates human-human connections by evoking a sensual experience in intriguing, reflective and expressive ways. Ultimately, the strenuous physical interaction aims to produce a sense of togetherness in everyday life, by constructing a digital entity with a symbolic meaning, an experiential possibility, and a functional role.