As the semester draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on progress made toward developing Double Helix. The project is fully functional at this point and includes the following features:

• audience interaction based on camera tracking
• interactive and immersive visuals drawn from Hubble Space Telescope imagery
• interactive and generative audio

The following materials are required for the installation:

• Mac Computer running Max 6.1
• 2-channel sound projection
• ceiling-mounted front projection and screen
• ceiling-mounted infrared camera
• RGB camera aimed at audience faces

A tech diagram showing the setup of Double Helix.

Finally, here is a demonstration of Double Helix in action:

The next steps for Double Helix are difficult to determine. The inclusion of more extra-planetary objects beyond the Helix Nebula would greatly expand the depth of the audience’s experience. The twisted mirror object that resides in the center of the nebula is something that could be significantly improved to provide higher self-recognition in the image. As the project currently stands, some technical compromises resulted in a more abstract mirror texture.