Organic and Inorganic Play: Exploring New Media and Interactive Arts

Author: Melih Gürcan Kutsal
Published: December 1, 2022
Read time: 6 minutes

Understanding Play: A Universal Concept

Play is a pervasive concept found in many facets of life, from childhood games to strategic war simulations and artistic creation. Philosopher Friedrich Schiller described “play drive” as an immersive experience where the player loses track of time, a state similarly evoked by engaging art. Play exists not only in humans but across animal species, emphasizing its universal nature.

The Philosophy of Organic and Inorganic Toys

Based on Eugen Fink’s theory in Play as Symbol of the World, toys—tools for play—are categorized into:

• Organic Toys: Naturally occurring materials like sticks, which possess multiple functional potentials limited only by imagination. For example, a stick can be a sword, a walking stick, or a seat.
• Inorganic Toys: Man-made objects like dolls, which generally have a singular purpose or dimension of play related to their intended form.

Organic toys encourage endless creativity through flexible use, whereas inorganic toys provide focused and immersive engagement within their predefined roles.

New Media & Interactive Art: Bridging Organic and Inorganic Play

Emerging fields such as media architecture and interactive public installations showcase the fusion of these play philosophies. Notable artists blending these concepts include Refik Anadol (organic play) and Jen Lewin (inorganic play), whose works foster community interaction and redefine public spaces.

Organic Play in Digital Installation: Refik Anadol’s Hope Alkazar

Anadol’s Hope Alkazar installation invites visitors to engage directly with particle systems projected on walls and floors. Interactions such as tapping, spinning, and jumping produce varying visual explosions, encouraging spontaneous games like foot-tapping or hopscotch. This flexibility exemplifies organic play by allowing participants to invent their gameplay and meaning, much like natural materials.

Key Takeaway: Despite originating in a digital realm, Anadol’s installation mimics the multifunctionality and imaginative scope traditionally associated with organic play, challenging the notion of “nature” in digital art.

Inorganic Play as Immersive Experience: Jen Lewin’s Chandelier Harp

Lewin’s Chandelier Harp is a kinetic sculpture featuring low-voltage lasers that trigger harp notes when crossed. Movements, from casual walking to ballet dancing, become musical creation. Although the interaction is focused on a single sensory dimension—movement-induced sound—the richness of the experience offers deep enjoyment and connection.

Key Takeaway: While this represents inorganic play’s more structured, one-dimensional imaginative experience, its high-quality sensory engagement exemplifies the artistic potential of dedicated play modes.

Conclusion: Toward a Holistic View of Play in Art and Architecture

The intersection of organic and inorganic play philosophies with new media and interactive arts reveals profound implications for architecture, design, and public interaction. As digital and physical worlds converge, these playful installations demonstrate:

• How play principles can inform engaging, community-centric environments.
• The transformative potential of digital tools as mediums for imaginative exploration.
• The evolving definition of “organic” in the context of immersive digital art.

For practitioners in architecture and interactive design, embracing the duality of organic and inorganic play offers fresh perspectives to craft meaningful experiences that blend imagination, participation, and technology.

References & Further Reading:

• Eugen Fink, Play as Symbol of the World
• Friedrich Schiller, Philosophy of Play
• Refik Anadol’s Media Artworks
• Jen Lewin Studio Interactive Installations

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Article sourced and summarized from PA+ (Platform Architect), December 2022

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.