Concept: The Satire of Surveillance
La Bestia Negra is an interactive installation that explores the unsettling psychological impact of being watched and judged. Housed within a "cave," visitors encounter a hovering monster whose myriad of menacing eyeballs follow their every move with an unrelenting gaze. By using a comical and satirical lens, the work critiques the social pressure felt by those who challenge traditional norms, transforming the abstract concept of the "societal gaze" into a literal, physical confrontation.
Process & Interaction: Forced Perspective
The installation utilizes computer vision and motion tracking to synchronize the monster’s gaze with the audience's movements. I designed the spatial layout using forced perspective to heighten the sense of vulnerability, placing participants in a position where they cannot escape the creature's attention. This creates a "sentient environment" where the machine logic (tracking) is used to mirror human behavior (judgment), forcing a reflection on surveillance and social conformity.
Outcome: Empathy through Discomfort
The project functions as a social experiment in embodied empathy. By making the act of "being watched" exaggerated and absurd, the installation invites visitors to reflect on the discomfort of marginalization in public spaces. It serves as a playful yet critical interface that uses technology not just for spectacle, but to provoke dialogue about the ethical implications of observation and the value of human difference.
