Pest Control II : Infestation / Please do not feed the bugs

"We have received disturbing reports of an outbreak of beetles, spiders and centipedes... Digital artists Squidsoup have been on-site trying to contain the infestation but they may need your help…"

Documentation of an interactive installation primarily aimed at children by digital arts group Squidsoup www.squidsoup.org - commissioned by, and first shown in 2012 at, DMU Cube, Phoenix Square, Leicester.

The project builds on a series of related research and projects that place responsive and vaguely aware digital creatures in physical space, exploring the boundaries and relationships between digital and physical environments. Related projects include Glowing Pathfinder Bugs (2008, updated 2011), Pest Control (2010) and Living Timelines (2012). Pest Control II : Infestation uses ceiling mounted Kinect sensors (Microsoft X-Box game controllers) to detect movement and interactions in 3D within the gallery space. Creatures respond to physical presence in different ways – some insects are wary of people, others far more inquisitive…

A Squidsoup project, created by Anthony Rowe, Gareth Bushell, Liam Birtles and Chris Bennewith.