Learning Modern exhibit / ACADIA Conference, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The traditional Ames Room is a room that appears uniform and square, yet in actuality is an asymmetrically framed distortion of space. The typology was invented by Adelbert Ames, Jr. in 1934, who made contributions to physics, physiology, ophthalmology, psychology, and philosophy.

When viewed from the front plane, the typical Ames Room walls appear parallel and perpendicular to a level floor and ceiling. However, the room's singular perspective view optically conceals the true shape of the architecture. As a result of a translational 'glitch' between perception and reality, two people of similar size will appear diametrically smaller and larger depending on their position in the space.

This new installation for ACADIA invents a circular version of the typically square Ames Room. Our aim is to investigate parametric (relational) modalities not only exercised upon a digitally transformed object, but upon the occupants in the space as well. When viewed by outside onlookers, people inside are dynamically distorted as their appearance shrinks or grows in real time.