Presence is a responsive lighting installation that represents the flow of individuals in Parsons School of Design MFA Design +Technology through real-time feedback of activity on the school’s 10th Floor.

The project consists of two parts: data-gathering through motion detectors and IR sensors distributed in the environment and a light installation, which responds to the signals transmitted from the sensors. The data from sensors influences the dimmers of the light installation, creating optical illusions of colorful shadows in the elevator lobby on 2 West 13th. The effect is also augmented by the subtle changes in mood, generated by the various combinations of cool and warm light.

A sculptural relief wall piece is surrounded by RGB lights, which combine together to create a rainbow of tonalities. Each light is connected to a dimmer which is influenced by the signal received in real time from the sensors. By changing the intensity of the lights, new colors emerge and the perception of the white relief and its shadows is altered, indicating changes in the flow of people converging on the Design and Technology floor.

Developed by Mary Behr, Lisa Daly, Ivy Feraco, Margarida Garcia, Maria Ioveva, Ernesto Klar, Gabriela Lopez, Nattapol Suphawong.