Leif Handberg

SharedSpaces Mingle

SharedSpaces is a WebRTC design prototype that creates a virtual media space where people can mingle and interact. Although you are in different locations, you appear side by side in front of a chosen backdrop. This interactive installation addresses spatial and social connectedness, stressing the importance of integrating architectural and spatial features to support complex social dynamics in mediated interaction. The tool engages users in manipulating their real-time video- streams, creatively co-designing a shared mediated space that fits a contextual need. It supports social dynamics by allowing users to draw and paint together and to move and resize video streams. Further, it enhances grounding and social cues by merging video- streams and space, representing users as if they were in the same space. Standard and easily available equipment is used. Recent user studies show that a seamless integration of space, social dynamics and shared activity benefits the experience of presence, naturalness, immersion/engagement and social connectedness.

Spatial and Social Connectedness in Web-based Work Collaboration

The work presented here seeks an integration of spatial and social features supporting shared activities, and engages users in multiple locations to manipulate real-time video-streams. Standard and easily available equipment is used together with the communication standard WebRTC. It adds a spatial quality of experience by representing the users anywhere on the screen, with easily changed diverse backdrops, inviting users to co-design a shared mediated space. User studies show that a seamless integration of space, social dynamics and shared activity benefits the experience of presence, naturalness, immersion/ engagement and social connectedness. The results inform a discussion about spatial and social connectedness, stressing the importance of design to integrate architectural/spatial features and support complex social dynamics in mediated interaction.

Op 1254: Music for Neutrons, Networks and Solenoids using a Restored Organ in a Nuclear Reactor

In this paper, an installation is presented that connects Stanford and Stockholm through a one-of-a- kind combination of instrument and venue: the Skandia Wurlitzer theatre organ (Wurlitzer serial no. 1254) situated in the KTH R1 Experimental Performance Space, a disused nuclear reactor. A continuous stream of musical data, audio, and video between the two places explored the capabilities of the digital to play with the concepts of presence and embodiment, virtuality and the physical. In the installation, a series of performances presented new pieces written especially for this setting. The pieces were performed by musicians in Stanford, mediated in real-time, allowing them to play together with the theatre organ in Stockholm, temporarily fusing the two venues to create one ensemble, one audience, in one space.