REFLECTIONS OF PAIN
My project Reflections of Pain(2024) explores the emotions of bullying victims—feelings that are often overlooked. The aim is to raise awareness of these emotions and highlight the importance of recognizing their struggle. Through abstract visuals and audio, the hidden aspects and daily challenges of their lives are brought to light. Each sound contributes to the awareness of the heavy burden they carry and resonates deeply, drawing you closer to their story.
Maker:
Chenoa de Boer
Meaning of REFLECTIONS OF PAIN
A memory from my childhood that has stayed with me is unfortunately not a pleasant one. In primary school, I was bullied. I was always the one who was just a little different. I liked other things than most, and I looked a bit different too. I never really felt like I belonged.
One day, two boys completely cursed me out, saying many hurtful things. Not long after, two girls from my class spat on me. During that period, I was deeply humiliated, which left my self-confidence very low. At the time, I never dared to tell my family what was happening, so I kept everything to myself. My self-confidence is something I will likely continue to struggle with throughout my life. Because of this, I sometimes find it difficult to hear negative things, it affects me quickly and deeply.
The proces and technical approach
Introduction
My project “Reflections of Pain” was created using TouchDesigner as the primary tool, combined with Vision OSC for both webcam and audio interaction. The visuals respond in real time to the viewer’s movements captured by the webcam. At the same time, sound and color react to the gestures of the participants’ hands. This interplay creates a more immersive and emotional experience. The final work is presented through a projector and an external webcam, allowing viewers to engage directly with the story being told.
Research
To ground the project in real experiences, I conducted research into how people felt when they were bullied. I collected responses through a survey completed by individuals with different backgrounds. Several emotions were repeated most often: loneliness, sadness, insecurity, anger, and frustration. These findings became the foundation for how I translated emotions into both visuals and audio.
Translating Emotions Visually
A crucial part of the process was learning how to translate emotions into visual form. Color became a primary tool:
- Loneliness → muted greys and dull blues
- Sadness → deep blues
- Insecurity → shifting shades of yellow and green
- Anger & frustration → strong reds and blacks
Movement further reinforced the emotional tone. Slow, flowing movements conveyed serenity, while fast and jittery motions suggested unrest and fear.
As part of my exploration, I collected visual inspiration through Pinterest, focusing on abstract works where color and movement blend together to express emotion. By combining these two elements, I was able to not only show emotions but also make them felt, creating a deeper connection with the audience.
TouchDesigner
During development, I initially struggled with coding within TouchDesigner. To overcome this, I searched for alternative methods to improve my workflow. For audio interaction, I implemented Vision OSC, which greatly enhanced sound responsiveness.
For visual interaction, I used a webcam to create projections that respond directly to body movements. Through testing multiple versions of visuals in TouchDesigner, I discovered new ways to enrich the interaction between colors and shapes. After several iterations, I achieved the smooth and dynamic interplay between audio and visuals that I envisioned.
Projector Setup
From a technical perspective, the setup began with installing a high-resolution, high-brightness projector to ensure sharp visuals even in lighted spaces. Correct calibration of distance and angle was essential to avoid distortion.
One of the more exciting experiments involved using motion detection, allowing projections to respond fluidly to audience movement. To make participation intuitive, I considered placing floor markers to guide viewers to the optimal interaction point. Additionally, ensuring enough space around the projector was important for both safety and comfort.
Webcam Interaction
The use of a webcam played a vital role in creating an interactive experience. The projections and audio responded instantly to the participant’s movements. Through experimentation, I found that placing a small light source on the person significantly improved results. Since the room must remain dark for effective projection, the light created a clear contrast that helped the webcam track movements more accurately.
These experiments revealed how critical the balance between technology and environment is in interactive art. Even small adjustments—such as lighting or placement—can make a large difference in the effectiveness and impact of interactive visuals.
For this project i also made a dutch magazine about the process and the meaning of the project.
So u can find also all the information in there
So u can find also all the information in there