Background
Social media platforms have been constantly training us to consume information in short bursts, fostering shorter attention spans. But the content created remains indefinitely stored—on our devices, in the cloud, or in data centers.
Every 24 hours, about 34 million new videos are uploaded to TikTok, and 95 million photos are posted on Instagram. In contrast, natural phenomena in the physical world often demand extended focus and presence, yet they are inherently ephemeral. Once missed, a fleeting moment in nature cannot be replicated or recaptured.
Concept
The project uses the Zen Garden as a touchpoint to juxtapose the virtual and the real. Participants are invited to interact with the sand table, drawing patterns while engaging in meditation as instructed.
However, the serene process is disrupted intermittently by vibrations in the garden, triggered by real-time uploads of new photos and videos tagged with #Zen on Instagram. A counter and two LED screens display the number of posts and showcase the latest #Zen-tagged content.
Tools
Particle Photon 2(Microcontroller), Instagram API, C#, Thermal Forming
Material
Acrylic, Sand, Foam, Wood