Summaery 2014

Interactive Costumes – E-textiles made for the Stage

Fakultät: interdisziplinär, Studiengang: interdisziplinär

Theatre is one of the oldest entertainment formats of humankind, and from the beginning costumes have been included elements in theatre performances. Nowadays the evolving potential of e-textiles and wearable computing is a growing topic in HCI and related areas. Computational clothing can already be found in several application fields like health care, the gaming industry, or performance arts. Nevertheless, the amount of projects that make use of interactive costumes at theater stages are still rarely.

In summer term 2014, the HCI group was offering a student project that explores how interactive costumes for the stage could look and function like. Students of Computer Science and Media, Product Design & Media Art and Design worked collaborative during the classes. They formed the whole process together in teams, the project depends on the cooperation between creative and technical development.

We chose the story Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne for our costume ideas. Three teams have developed the costumes of Captain Nemo, the Diving Suit of the Nautilus Crew, and the Octopus Sea Creature. You can find more information on our project blog or just come over and visit our exhibition on Friday, 11th July 2014, 5 – 10 p.m., & Saturday, 12th July 2014, 2 – 5 p.m. in the foyer at Bauhausstr 11.