Concept and Artistic intention
My final project explores how traditional UAE heritage can be translated into a contemporary interactive digital environment. The project is inspired by Al Sadu, a traditional Bedouin weaving practice known for its geometric motifs, repetition, rhythm, and handcrafted structure. I decided on continuing to explore Sadu based on the last assignment.
The project imagines the user as both weaver and wind. Through hand gestures captured by a webcam, the user influences a woven digital textile in real time. Their movement changes the structure of patterns, shifts the flow of particles, and transforms the surface of the virtual cloth. The artistic intention is to show that culture can evolve through technology. By combining traditional visual language with generative systems, the project asks how heritage can be experienced dynamically rather than passively.
Themes I’m exploring:
- Handcraft vs algorithm
- Tradition translated through code
Interaction Methodology
The interaction uses a webcam and ml5.js HandPose tracking. The user stands in front of the screen and uses their hand to interact with the woven environment.
Diagrams (i uploaded as image and it was blurry)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Kz34urKPHvqH2rd_4H-ug_PJxCJMO8c/view?usp=sharing
(i uploaded as image and it was blurry)
The color palette is inspired by traditional woven textiles and desert landscape:
- Deep red / maroon
- Sand beige
- Cream wool tones
- Dark brown accents
Main Visual Elements
- Repeating geometric woven motifs
- Dynamic stitched grid
- Motion trails from gesture interaction
User Guidance
The following is what I’m thinking of having on the sketch for user guidance:
- Move your hand to weave the pattern
- Raise hand to densify motifs
- Move faster to release threads
- Press R to reset
as well as a webcam for them to see themselves.
Initial p5 Sketch