Xiaotian Zhang

Hoboken, NJ

 

“here” | Interactive Installation

here is an interactive LED bench that captures the subtle imprint of presence and transforms it into a fleeting visual memory. When a visitor sits on the bench, their movements are quietly recorded. It’s only after they rise and walk away that their silhouette is revealed, glowing softly as a ghostly afterimage. Over time, these silhouettes fade, underscoring the ephemeral nature of our moments in space.

By delaying the visual response until after a participant departs, here shifts attention to the quiet resonance we leave behind—those unnoticed marks of presence that linger, however briefly, in the spaces we inhabit. As silhouettes dissolve, the installation becomes a meditation on memory, absence, and the delicate threshold between now and then.

Through a minimal yet evocative interaction, here invites visitors to reflect on the transient beauty of existence, encouraging them to pause, be still, and witness how quickly the present transforms into the past.

About the artist: My practice centers on creating immersive, interactive experiences that transform our perception of the world through sound and light. By inviting participants to become active agents—rather than passive observers—I highlight the subtle yet powerful ways we shape and are shaped by our surroundings. Each work harnesses transient elements, such as shifting audio frequencies or illuminated silhouettes, to capture moments of connection between people and place. In doing so, I aim to reveal the delicate interplay of presence, memory, and environment, encouraging viewers to reflect on how simple actions can ripple through shared spaces and transform our collective experience.