Some-Ones In Another Room

Some-ones in Another Room is an interactive installation which simulate an experience using DNA as a calling card.

The audience can gradually experience objects, DNA info, and stranger's possible portraits which might stimulate thinking and discussion about the DNA privacy and accuracy. This is a knowing stranger experience but in a totally different way. The progress is from objects to DNA info to possible portraits of the stranger. First, People will observe and scan the objects in the drawer. When the sensors detect the objects, some DNA information might be shown, such as hair, skin and eye color, the Haplogroup, and some genetic personal traits. After reading the information, People can guess and imagine the portrait of the stranger. At the end, 4 photos of the possible portrait might be shown on the screen and people have to pick one that matches the most with the DNA information. 

This project is a speculative simulation that uses DNA as a calling card to know a stranger. In the era of developed biotechnology, is DNA still private and secure? I made a hypothesis about if DNA becomes a public information, how do people know and interact with each other. Also, I wonder how a feeling of knowing can be created by a non-existed avatar using digital and machine-made objects.