Freedom simulator

Abstract

While freedom is an integral part of modern American citizenship and culture, it is always studied as an objective measure. This thesis aims to understand freedom as a subjective sensation and build a set of interactive experiences that evoke a sensation of freedom. Starting from principles of freedom, sensation and experience, and subjectivity, this thesis deduces expressive elements of space and time, agency, and limitation to translate the principles into experiential reality. The final product of this thesis is a design for a set of three experiences, two of which were implemented. Each experience is based on a contrasting, modern concept of freedom and utilizes various techniques such as spatial audio, motion tracking, and real-time video projection. These experiences question the importance of freedom for each individual user.