ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHICS
An interactive LED floor for Tribal Museum, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Concept
The setup
Proposal for a dedicated hall with a giant LED display on the wall and an interactive LED panel on the floor.
The interactive LED floor will display graphics designed by me. The screen on the wall will display footage of dancers performing Seraikella Chhau- a tribal and martial art influenced folk dance that enacts the stylised gaits of birds and animals.
LED Floor
The interaction
The LED floor will have black and white graphics on it when not active. It will light up in coloured squares on activation- based on where the visitors are guided to place their feet according to the dance.
Visitors to the museum will learn the tribal dance on display by following the footage displayed- the floor will light up in squares to guide their feet and movement.
"Je nachi se banchi"
- Ram Dayal Munda
Translation: Those who dance, shall survive.
This project has been inspired by the tribal scholar Ram Dayal Munda's famous slogan- "Je nachi se banchi!" or "Dance to survive!"
This came from his belief that tribal people could only survive if their culture continued to thrive.
Ram Dayal Munda never forgot where he came from- tribal dance remained his first love. He dedicated his life to the restoration of tribal culture.
Learning this, and being a native of Ranchi myself inspired me to create work that would keep tribal culture alive- through exposing people to their dance and art.
Graphics
The style
The graphics pay tribute to traditional tribal culture by gleaning inspiration from Sohrai and Khovar art- ancient tribal art styles going back to 10,000 BC.
The subjects of focus are the birds, animals and trees that inspire the lyrical and dramatic movements of the Seraikella Chhau dance.
DEACTIVATED
Graphics for the interactive dance pad
ACTIVATED
Graphics for the interactive dance pad
The colour palette of the variations for the activated dance pad is inspired by the pastel shades of the masks that are worn by the dancers.
THE USER IS PROMPTED TO PLACE THEIR FOOT IN THIS AREA OF THE DANCE PAD- AS THE BLACK AND WHITE FLOOR DISPLAY IS FLOODED WITH COLOUR ONLY IN THAT SQUARE.
HOVER OVER ME
MECHANISM
The coloured squares light up corresponding to the footage of the Chhau dancer on display. The user is prompted to place their feet where the pad is lit up, and follow the steps of the dance.
