Visceral design: Sites of intra-action at the interstices of waves and particles

Abstract

Quantum physics has undermined our traditional view of the world. Waves and particles that were once considered fundamentally opposed now can be both, depending how we look at them. This raises questions: How do we conceive the world beyond human-centric perception? How do we enrich experience and feel empathy for other entities human and non-human? As we deconstruct the Cartesian logic of modernity, other borders fall under scrutiny. There is a fundamental change occurring in the theory and practice of art and design where the line between product and user, wearable and wearer, artwork and audience is blurring. This article explores visceral design approaches to human computer interaction and wearable technology drawing on theories of critical/speculative design, visceral thinking, humanistic computing and intraaction. Case studies are introduced to demonstrate approaches that are open to the perspectives presented and represent ways the sensibility described can be distributed through practice.