Project Description

Lonely People in the Building is an interactive projection mapping project that combines digital art with physical interaction to explore themes of urban isolation and the paradox of proximity. The setup features a canvas painted with window frames using conductive paint, which is connected to an Arduino microcontroller and a computer running p5.js.

When visitors touch a painted window frame, the system triggers a projection onto the canvas, displaying a scene of a person engaged in a mundane, everyday activity—such as washing dishes, working on a laptop, or simply looking out the window. This project is designed to simulate the experience of observing the lives of neighbors from afar, a common phenomenon in densely populated urban environments.

The project draws attention to the loneliness that can persist even when people live in close quarters. Despite the physical closeness, residents often remain emotionally distant, absorbed in their own routines and struggles. “Lonely People in the Building” invites viewers to consider the invisible barriers that separate us and the shared human experiences that connect us, sparking conversations about community, empathy, and the nature of urban life.