An evolving participatory artifact using a quilting metaphor to create an ambient, interactive textile display.

About

Patchwork is an evolving artifact that uses a quilting metaphor to create ambient displays. Participants are invited to build squares of the quilt in a drop-in workshop format, adding and replacing display units over time. The result is an interactive textile display that changes based on participant contributions.

Process

The quilt base is created with conductive fabric, thread, snaps, and conventional fabrics. When a finished square — containing up to 9 LEDs — is attached to the quilt base, the LEDs illuminate according to pre-set patterns that can be altered by sending SMS messages to the quilt.

Achievements

Patchwork was exhibited as part of Making@Siggraph @ Siggraph 2015.

Additional quilt fabrication made with assistance from Jessie Contour.