An interactive installation that critiques the monetization of human focus by tracking gaze to trigger a thermal printer, transforming fleeting attention into tangible, consumable data.
https://editor.p5js.org/Christinawu/sketches/eHZFE8QyC
We live in a world driven by attention, where our focus is constantly pulled in different directions by the things around us. From phone notifications to daily distractions, attention has become something valuable, often tracked and used by modern systems. This series of installations looks at how different mediums capture and hold our focus. Using the FaceMesh model, the system tracks people’s eyes and, when they focus on the installation, triggers a thermal printer to print through serial port connection with Arduino. The printer then produces an image of an eye, turning moments of attention into something physical and real.
Each setup includes a camera placed to the side that detects when someone is looking at the installation. This activates the printer to create a physical image of their eye, representing their gaze as a tangible object. This process not only captures fleeting moments of focus but also asks questions about how attention is tracked and used in today’s world. To attract and keep people’s interest, the project uses different mediums: screen-based, physcial, content-based.
By turning brief moments of eye contact into physical prints, the project asks viewers to think about how their attention is constantly being tracked and valued. It raises questions about the cost of focus in a world where attention has become a resource to be bought and sold. Through this simple yet thought-provoking experience, the installation helps people reflect on the importance of their attention and how it is used in everyday life.
The attention economy has always been a topic of interest to me, especially as a heavy social media user. I am keenly aware of how addictive some content can be, constantly drawing my attention and leading me to spend more and more time on social media.
Visual Inspiration
The paper stack conveys overwhelm, mirroring attention overload.
