push

Interactive light installation (2015)
LED, acrylic, microcontroller, button and custom electronic componants.
9” x 12” x 3 ½”

Push is an interactive electronic DIY consisting of white LED lights positioned in the shape of a sad smiley face. An illuminated button under the face invites spectators to press it. The button deactivates the sad smile and illuminates a happy smile on the face.  The face continues to smile as long as the button is pressed. Once the button is released, the smiley face regains his sad expression.

The smiley face is a universal and simplified representation of an emotion. Without interaction from the viewer, the smiley face is sad, which gives a negative impression to the viewer. Following his intuition, the viewer will try in vain to install permanent happiness on the smiley face. 

The spectator's participation, as simple and fun as it is, engages them in a reflection on their responsibility for their own happiness. While for some people happiness is obvious, it is harder for others to keep the button down.