Understanding
The rise of HI invites reconsideration in several key areas:
The Role of the Artist: In HI, the artist's role shifts from that of sole creator to that of designer of a system or framework for experience. This necessitates consideration of how much control to cede to participants and how to anticipate the potential variations in how the artwork might unfold.
The Nature of Authorship: When audience participation is so deeply embedded in the work, traditional notions of authorship become complex. Questions regarding the ownership of the experience and the boundaries of the artwork itself arise.
The Experience of Self: HI can create a heightened sense of embodiment, as participants' actions have direct and visible consequences within the experience. This raises questions about how HI may shape self-perception and our understanding of agency, particularly within blended reality environments.
Cognitive Impacts: Research suggests that immersive experiences can have a profound impact on memory, empathy, and learning (Bailenson, 2018). HI, with its emphasis on participation and agency, may further amplify these effects. This raises interesting, and potentially ethically charged, possibilities.