Linear Networks in Nature is a project that aims to highlight the natural networks of complex ecosystems underwater, and the experience of encountering events that may incite fear or intrigue in the minds of humans. As human beings, we inherently tend to be afraid of natural predators and curious about the mysteries of the deep sea and it was our aim as a group to bring this experience of underwater exploration to life using the traditional technique of shadow puppetry. While paper was our main material, we used light to give it a sense of ambiguity and take the focus away from the material in order to communicate our story in a more impactful way. We were also able to manipulate the shadows cast by the paper and the colour of the light to bring that sense of ‘mystery’ and ‘danger’ alive in our prototype.The interactive aspect of our project involves the viewer as an ‘explorer’ who searches the area using a flashlight – when the light hits specific areas, a scene depicting a dangerous predator is brought to life, which is intended to startle or stun the viewer. When the light is moved away, the scene returns to its original, harmonious state. The concept behind this interaction is derived from situations where humans often find themselves being afraid or concerned for animals that generally serve as prey to larger predators, even though these are natural processes that occur in nature. When interacting with ecosystems, one must keep in mind the harsh realities of the food chain and be prepared to discover something they may not like to see.
In an ideal scenario, we see this project being presented as a more multi-faceted, interactive storytelling experience, where more elements of the ecosystem could come alive to highlight the interdependencies in nature. We would like to create the ambience of an aquarium but incorporate the realities of natural processes like the food chain in order to create more of an ‘adventurous’ experience for the viewer.