CHROMO11 - ENGINEERING THE THRILL (ABSTRACT) 26.06.03

THRILLS

I plan to investigate thrill in a contemporary setting; how we naturally experience thrill, and how it might be practically engineered in new contexts. I will propose original sets of fantastic rides and experiences that will create new thrills.

TOBER

Thrill describes the euphoria experienced when the body releases high levels of the chemical-messenger dopamine, in response to novel stimuli. Chromo11 explores the idea that thrill is the result of several contributing factors which can collectively be called the tober.

Tober expresses the atmosphere of the fairground, the way in which fairground elements play with each other, and how they sit within their site.A good showman will carefully craft the experiential journey of the visitor from an enticing front through a collection of smaller rides and stalls, side stuff, preparing them for the larger showstoppers at the back.

PERSONAL THRILLS

I will investigate the apparatus needed to support thrill; why certain people are attracted to particular thrills and how they mentally construct their own personal thrill. It won’t focus on the obvious thrills found in extreme sports or theme parks. I plan to consider a wider variety of thrill projects.

INSPIRATION

Inspiration might come from reading about a mountaineer conquering uncharted terrain, whilst secretly experimenting with the boundaries of his own endurance. Useful insights might be found investigating unusual sexual practices involving an interest in aesthetic novelty. Or inspiration might be found interviewing a shoplifter who mentally transforms supermarkets into magical but risky game environments.

NEW EXPERIENCES

Through this background research and my unique collection of skills in interaction design, aeronautical engineering and art practice I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the design of thrill, harnessing positive aspects of a huge, untapped resource.

I will revive the notion of tober, and design and manufacture previously unimaginable thrill rides and experiences.

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