Bossanova Baby

Commissioned by Dash Studio, this project involved the design and development of an interactive projection mapped river for a long-term installation at the Woodruff Arts Center, combining generative visuals, motion tracking, and synchronized lighting systems.


Technical Approach
Visual System

The river surface was constructed in TouchDesigner using layered wave interference patterns and feedback loops to simulate flowing water and ripples. A small geometric source combined with transform and feedback operations created expanding ripple effects that formed the foundation of the water behavior.

Sound-Reactive Rain

Rain events were driven by an original audio composition by Santiago Páramo. Specific frequency bands were isolated and routed through CHOP networks to control raindrop generation and positioning. Noise, hold, and trigger systems determined raindrop coordinates, while LFO modulation controlled opacity and timing to produce a natural rainfall effect.

Motion Interaction

Human interaction was implemented using a Kinect sensor. Skeletal tracking data, specifically hip X and Y coordinates, were used to approximate foot placement and trigger ripple effects as visitors moved through the space. This approach provided smoother and more accurate interaction than blob tracking, allowing the river to respond fluidly to movement.

Time-Based Control

The entire system was governed by TouchDesigner’s animation operator, which controlled the sun’s movement, lighting intensity, and rain transitions across the one-hour loop. This ensured consistent and repeatable behavior suitable for long-term installation.

Synchronization and Reset

A custom reset and synchronization function was built to restart the system from frame zero while simultaneously triggering DMX lighting cues. This allowed installation staff to easily initialize the experience each day and maintain full audiovisual alignment.

Tools and Technologies

TouchDesigner
Kinect sensor
CHOP and TOP networks
Projection mapping hardware
Audio-reactive systems

Challenges

The installation environment included multiple hanging elements, limiting projector placement and requiring careful line-of-sight planning. Time constraints and shared access to the space necessitated rapid iteration and problem-solving. Adjusting projector placement and refining interaction logic were key challenges resolved during on-site testing.

Outcome

The final installation successfully delivered a responsive river environment that combined sound, movement, and time-based transformation. The piece remains on view for 18 months at the Woodruff Arts Center and is free to the public.

This project expanded my technical fluency in TouchDesigner, deepened my understanding of long-duration interactive systems, and reinforced the importance of clean, legible network design in complex installations.