Living Media Interfaces
Raaz: A Multimedia Installation at the Intersection of Bioart, Poetry, and Information
Raaz (secret in Farsi) is a multimedia bioart installation that centers on the concept of poetry-infused transgenic wine created using genetically modified yeast. The text, a canonical Sufi poem by the 14th century Persian poet Hafiz, is a meditation on timelessness through transformative love.
The poetry was encoded using Morse code, translated into viable genetic code which was then fabricated and inserted into the genome of living yeast cells used to make wine. At the center of the installation the bottle of wine is surrounded by large-format prints of microscopic images of the yeast. Ambient audio surrounds the wine with a reading of the Hafiz poem, which is transformed into timelessness over 12 minutes using the resonant frequencies of a room similar to the Hafiz tomb. Morse code of the poem combines with an original bass flute melody tuned to the poetry reading. The melodies fragment and transform as they sound via transducers through empty wine glasses, a metaphor for an empty spiritual vessel.
Through multiple representations, the poem resonates both literally and metaphorically through the meditative space.
Credits: Foad Hamidi, bioart; Linda Dusman, audio; Alan Wonneberger, recording engineer and surround audio design; Tagide deCarvalho, imaging ; Lisa Scheifele, biology; Teresa Ascencao, exhibition design; Rian Hammond, bioart; Lisa Cella, bass flute; Lydia Stamato, research
The poetry was encoded using Morse code, translated into viable genetic code which was then fabricated and inserted into the genome of living yeast cells used to make wine. At the center of the installation the bottle of wine is surrounded by large-format prints of microscopic images of the yeast. Ambient audio surrounds the wine with a reading of the Hafiz poem, which is transformed into timelessness over 12 minutes using the resonant frequencies of a room similar to the Hafiz tomb. Morse code of the poem combines with an original bass flute melody tuned to the poetry reading. The melodies fragment and transform as they sound via transducers through empty wine glasses, a metaphor for an empty spiritual vessel.
Through multiple representations, the poem resonates both literally and metaphorically through the meditative space.
Credits: Foad Hamidi, bioart; Linda Dusman, audio; Alan Wonneberger, recording engineer and surround audio design; Tagide deCarvalho, imaging ; Lisa Scheifele, biology; Teresa Ascencao, exhibition design; Rian Hammond, bioart; Lisa Cella, bass flute; Lydia Stamato, research
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Relevant Publications:
Hamidi, F., Stamato, L., Scheifele, L., Hammond, R. C. V., and Asgarali-Hoffman, S. N. 2021. “Turning the Invisible Visible”: Transdisciplinary Bioart Explorations in Human-DNA Interaction. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21), Article 519, 1-15.
Asgarali-Hoffman, S. N., Hamidi, F. 2021. Perspectives of Bioartists and Community Lab Organizers on Working with Living Organisms. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21), Article 519, 1-15.
Hamidi, F., Stamato, L., Scheifele, L., Hammond, R. C. V., and Asgarali-Hoffman, S. N. 2021. “Turning the Invisible Visible”: Transdisciplinary Bioart Explorations in Human-DNA Interaction. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21), Article 519, 1-15.
Asgarali-Hoffman, S. N., Hamidi, F. 2021. Perspectives of Bioartists and Community Lab Organizers on Working with Living Organisms. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21), Article 519, 1-15.
Rafigh: A Living Media Interface for Children
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Living media interfaces (LMIs) are hybrid systems that combine living organisms and digital components. We are exploring the characteristics and possibilities of these interfaces in human-computer interaction.
Rafigh is an example of a LMI that is designed to support speech language intervention for children with disabilities. It motivates children to use more speech language intervention exercises at home. In response to regularly completed therapeutic and learning exercises, it provides positive feedback in the form of live fast-growing mushrooms. It consists of a living mushroom colony connected to an automated irrigation system. The amount of water that is administered to the mushrooms is correlated to children's use of therapeutic and learning applications. The more the children use these applications the faster the mushrooms will grow. 
Inside Rafigh
User evaluations showed that Rafigh motivated children to use target applications and created empathy and responsibility towards the mushrooms in them. Additionally, using Rafigh supported collaboration and communication between children, their parents and siblings.
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Relevant Publications:
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: A Living Media Interface for Speech Intervention. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '14). 2014, 1817-1820. New York: ACM. Available Online.
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: A Living Media Interface for Learning Games. CHI'14 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '14). 2014, 407-410. New York: ACM. Available Online.
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: An Edible Living Media Installation. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI '14). 2014, 345-346. New York: ACM. Available Online.
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: A Living Media Interface for Speech Intervention. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '14). 2014, 1817-1820. New York: ACM. Available Online.
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: A Living Media Interface for Learning Games. CHI'14 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '14). 2014, 407-410. New York: ACM. Available Online.
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M. Rafigh: An Edible Living Media Installation. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI '14). 2014, 345-346. New York: ACM. Available Online.
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