Improvisational interaction : a framework for structural exploration of media

Whenever we use computers to interact with media, our experience is that of direct control, and the goal of our interactions is either artifact-production (the editor paradigm) or passive exploration (the browser paradigm). This thesis proposes an alternative: a model of media interaction based on the ideas of non-idiomatic improvisation that encourages active exploration of media and its structures. We argue that in order to facilitate this kind of exploration, (1) computational tools must actively participate in the creative process and (2) the interaction framework must allow structural exploration of media. This leads to our main claim: improvisation should be considered a valid and appropriate paradigm for media interaction. To this extent, we present a Cognitive Model of Improvisational action (CMIA) that integrates element-centric and process-centric (structural) modes of control into a single framework for media exploration. This model allows participants to switch their attention between compositional elements and structural processes.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Nemirovsky, Paul, 1975-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Glorianna Davenport.

• Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36157

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36157