Abstract
We present Squeeze Machine, an experimental interactive experience, aiming for a critical-heritage exhibition at MUNCH museum. Our design process weaved together three research threads: (1) designing embodied interaction for critical heritage, (2) using uncomfortable interaction, and (3) facilitating critical reflection focusing on social beliefs of authority. We conducted interaction tests at a university laboratory (N=16, 8 pairs). Participant responses illustrate that Squeeze Machine could evoke visitors to reflect on their personal experience, increase visitor curiosity about the exhibition and support reflection on curated artefacts. The exploration also brought out some challenges for applying discomfort through control in an exhibition context.
Keywords
Critical heritage; Embodied interaction; Uncomfortable interactions; Discomfort through control; Performativity
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.412
Citation
Koowattanataworn, P., Løvlie, A.S.,and Benford, S.(2025) Squeeze Machine: Designing Uncomfortable Interactions for Critical Heritage, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.412
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 3 - Design, Art & Technology
Squeeze Machine: Designing Uncomfortable Interactions for Critical Heritage
We present Squeeze Machine, an experimental interactive experience, aiming for a critical-heritage exhibition at MUNCH museum. Our design process weaved together three research threads: (1) designing embodied interaction for critical heritage, (2) using uncomfortable interaction, and (3) facilitating critical reflection focusing on social beliefs of authority. We conducted interaction tests at a university laboratory (N=16, 8 pairs). Participant responses illustrate that Squeeze Machine could evoke visitors to reflect on their personal experience, increase visitor curiosity about the exhibition and support reflection on curated artefacts. The exploration also brought out some challenges for applying discomfort through control in an exhibition context.