Connect

Connect draws inspiration from the experience of patching an analogue synthesiser, translating that playful, exploratory process into a large-scale interactive installation. Participants shape the environment by connecting illuminated cables between sockets, with each new connection triggering bursts of light and evolving layers of sound.

The installation centres on the simple but satisfying act of making a connection. Each cable features custom-built illuminated connectors designed specifically for the piece. Because commercially available components did not provide the tactile quality we were seeking, we engineered our own magnetic connectors, carefully tuned to produce a distinctive and satisfying clunk as the plug seats into the socket. This physical feedback reinforces the sense of operating a responsive and tangible system.

As participants experiment with different configurations, the installation begins to feel like a vast, living machine that they are actively operating. Exploration is subtly rewarded through hidden behaviours within the system. By matching the colours of cables and sockets, visitors can complete a sequence that unlocks a final coordinated display of light and sound - an unexpected moment that encourages curiosity and playful discovery.

Applications & Versatility

Ideally suited for STEM-based learning environments, team-building activations, or science centers. The modular nature allows it to be scaled from a small puzzle wall to a massive “living machine,” encouraging collaborative problem-solving and making complex circuitry feel playful and approachable.