This is detailed description of the conception and the eight interactive installations exposed at Kuflex #1 Exhibition at Media Art Abrau (Abrau Durso, Russia), 2017-2018.

1. In May 2017 the Kuflex studio launched its first tailor-made exhibition in the «Media Art Abrau»
center, turning 1000 sq.m. of the historical complex into unparalleled interactive space.
Kuflex Exhibition #1 consists of eight interactive video installations that transform the
perception of modern art. The project creators invite visitors to make a step ahead into the
nearest technologic future where borders between art, playing and creating become elusive.
«Our exhibition is a space where a person and a digital projection meet. And that’s the point
where creativity is born. We have no doubt that it’s the interactive future of art which will
combine video, sound, light, motion, dance and most important – a viewer who will no longer
stay a passive observer. Viewers will themselves become parts of art work and creators at the
same time, along with the artist».
Kuflex
Kuflex is working on the border between visual arts and cutting-edge technologies, inspired by
the latest scientific discoveries. The team is not afraid of exploring newest ways of using video,
sound and light, while tracking technology and generative graphics allow viewers to dive into
that digital space and feel it to the fullest.
Artists encourage to shift focus on reality and see yourselves in different way and get the
extraordinary art portrait (Scanner), imagine life form as a color or soundwave (Speed of color),
master stars (Constellations), split into quantum of light (Quantum space), find oneself inside a
gigantic kaleidoscope and fly free of gravity (Portal), see how one would be as an alien
(Symbiosis), get some rest in a magic forest (Moths) or visit another planet (Another Land).
«Follow your feelings and passion fearlessly, be open to new experience and sensations, get
back to childhood for a moment. Get yourself inspired and don’t be afraid to create!»
Kuflex
As American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi puts it, people feel happiest when plunged
into the «flow», a special mental state of being completely immersed in their activity process. At
the Kuflex exhibition one can forget about time, get inspired and let the feeling of utter
happiness and harmony touch the soul.
The show is open until 30 April 2018 in the «Media Art Abrau» gallery located in the historical
center Abrau Durso (Industrial av. 13, Krasnodar area, Russia) in Abrau Durso village, where
natural landscape is under UNESCO protection.
http://en.visitabrau.com
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KUFLEX is a laboratory of interactive design and audiovisual art. It was founded in 2012 by
video artist Igor Tatarnikov, programmer and scientist Denis Perevalov and producer Ksenia
Lyashenko.
The installations by KUFLEX are represented in numerous museums in Russia and abroad, and
were shown at festivals and exhibitions in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Ekaterinburg, Tumen, Abrau-
Durso, as well as in Beijing (China, China Science and Technology Museum), Netanya (Israel),
Tel Aviv, Antalya (Turkey), Las Vegas (USA, CES2016), New Delhi, Athens (Greece,
ADAF2016) and others.
Contacts:
Ksenia Lyashenko, curator
kukuflex@gmail.com

2. Portal
Interactive video installation (generative graphics, sound, LED screen, mirror design), 2017

3. The installation is realized as a mirror tunnel, a portal to another dimension - to a colorful and bright
digital infinity. This is a great kaleidoscope, which can be entered from one side. The other side of
the tunnel is covered by a large LED screen. The image on the screen turns into an infinite plane
due to numerous reflections. Video footage with sound is generated in real time in accordance with
a specific scenario. Thus, a ten-minute audiovisual performance with an elaborated narrative takes
place in the mirror tunnel, however, its visual content never repeats. The installation is shown for the
first time at Kuflex #1 Exhibition at the Media Art Abrau gallery.
Interactive activity designed for one person
The Portal offers an additional opportunity to control visual effects. It’s designed for one visitor.
To experience the activity, stand in the very center of the black track and extend your arms to the
sides. Tilt them to the left and to the right one at a time, as if you were flying an airplane, turning in
different directions. The video image will start to change after your movements.
Instructions and rules of conduct
No more than seven people can be inside the mirror tunnel at the same time.
At the tunnel, it is forbidden to:
- be in possession of bladed articles
- be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- to make sudden and quick movements (run, jump, hit the walls, etc.).
Please do not enter the tunnel if you suffer from dizziness, epilepsy or mental illnesses.

4. Another Land
Interactive video Installation, 2017
http://payload532.cargocollective.com/1/2/77581/12950027/_I3A6422_edit_1500.jpg
http://payload532.cargocollective.com/1/2/77581/12950027/_I3A6410_edit_1500.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU0GVGAF2D5/?taken-by=kuflexlab
Life forms in our universe are endless and rather sociable. Our luminous ocean is inhabited by
amiable flying jellyfish, peculiar spiked balls (pointy sea urchin type creatures) and giant live flowers.
It's quite easy to make contact with them: come to the screen, and your silhouette will turn into a
light wave. The Another Land's inhabitants are always glad to get acquainted with earthlings and
invite you to play with them. If you are open to this new experience, you will make friends with alien
creatures and get a chance to become part of the Another Land yourself.
Instructions
Approach the screen at a distance of 2-3 meters and you will see your silhouette. Actively move
along the screen. Curious creatures will fly up and study you, while soft glowing sea urchins will be
ready to play. Try to catch them or play volleyball. You can punch or kick them, run, and jump. A
large number of viewers can interact with the installation.
Technical description
Silhouettes of people are read with depth cameras located along the wall. Silhouettes and flight
paths of the balls are processed using a program written in openFrameworks. The original
algorithm developed by Kuflex provides for the interaction naturalness. The three-dimensional
scene is rendered by Unreal Engine graphics engine using Kuflex plug-ins. They can be accessed
at github.com/kuflex.

5. Constellations
Interactive video installation, 2013 – 2017
We have been mesmerized with the starry sky since the early days. When you look at the stars for a
long time, it seems that with a wave of your hand you can magically join scattered glowing dots into a
magical drawing - a constellation. Since ancient times, people have asked themselves who created
the stars and why. Today, science has greatly advanced, but the universe remains to be the greatest
mystery of mankind. With the help of our installation, everyone can get a little closer to this enigma
and draw their starry sky, controlling the stars with a wave of one’s hand.
Technical description
When the human silhouette is detected by a depth camera, the program calculates the coordinates
of the hands. The viewer generates particles in the form of different geometric figures by moving his
or her hands. The size of these forms and their number are chosen so that an illusion of star cluster
is created. The direction of the flight of particles and their size is determined by software analysis of
the movement of the hands. The illusion of volume is enhanced by several layers of projection grids.
Instructions
1. Stand on the mark opposite the screen and you will see your contour silhouette.
2. Place your arms slightly to the sides of the body and points will appear in the place of your hands.
3. You can start drawing. Every movement of your arm is reflected in the form of a stream of particles
on the screen.
4. The color of particles depends on the distance of your arms to the screen, the size and scatter of
stars - on the intensity of motion: the lower the speed, the smaller the particles and vice versa.
5. To clear the screen, fold your palms together over your head or in front of you and hold for a few
seconds until the screen clears.
The installation is designed for one person.

6. Quantum Space
Interactive Video Installation, 2015
http://kuflex.com/Quantum-Space
A large-scale interactive video projection takes the viewer to the abstract world of quanta. Here,
everyone can become a particle of light and the Maker, creating harmony from cosmic chaos – at
the same time. Being “in sight” of the installation, the viewer sees his or her digital reflection
consisting of particles. All the particles are in constant motion and every action of the viewer affects
their parameters: trajectory, time of life, color, gravity. Familiar phenomena can be seen in abstract
images: fire, aurora, meteor shower or streams of fluid. In this space, barriers for self-expression
and spontaneous creativity disappear. Here you can become a stream of light or a particle of the
infinite cosmos.
Instructions
Move along the screen at a distance of 2-3 meters. Dance, run, fly – rule the particle flows on the
screen. The more active your movements are, the more intense the movement of particles is on the
screen and the stronger the emotions from the dive into quantum space are. A large number of
participants can simultaneously interact with the program.
Technical description
The installation automatically switches various visual modes of particle generation. Silhouettes of
spectators are detected by depth cameras. Specific program algorithms transform these silhouettes
and their movements into new particles and forces acting on them.

7. Scanner
Interactive Video Installation, 2016

8. The program creates unusual collage portraits from abstract watercolor stains. The element of
randomness provides for a unique look of each portrait.
It is possible to print images and save them in an online gallery.
Instructions
Step on the mark in front of the screen. Your image is displayed on the screen, as if in a mirror. In
order to save the image, do not move for a few seconds. The program will scan you and the desired
shot will appear on the screen. (You can select and print the photo – as an option).
Feel free to take selfies and post them on social media, using #museum and #kuflex.
Technical description
The depth camera sees the person, and the program processes the image in a specific way in real
time. The collage is created using a particular algorithm. The program tracks the movements and
position of the person in the frame. Thus, it adjusts the image according to the person’s height and
saves the image at the time when there is no movement in the frame.

9. Moths
Interactive video installation, 2011
This is a fairy tale about the night forest and moths, its luminous inhabitants. The magic begins
when a viewer appears and suddenly loses his or her habitual appearance. A luminous light
bulb replaces the viewer’s head, and their silhouette is filled with moths. The more people there
are in the forest, the brighter the magical forest life becomes.
Instructions
Move along the screen at a distance of 3 meters or more and control the silhouettes on the
screen.
Multiple participants can interact with the program simultaneously.
Technical description
Using a depth camera, such as Kinect, the program processes the silhouette of a person and
builds an image based on it. A swarm of moths fill the silhouette of the viewer on the screen.
The program determines the number of people in front of the screen and the head coordinates
so that light bulbs appears in their places. When there are no people in front of the screen, the
moths gather in the prescribed form.

10. Symbiosis
Interactive video installation, 2017

11. In the installation area, the human body is augmented with video projected virtual images.
Viewer and technology enter a symbiotic relationship and as a result, bring to life wonderful
biomorphic creatures. They change constantly - reacting to your every movement and turning
into new and unique forms each time. The installation was inspired by the symmetry of living
organisms, the structure of exotic insects, and reflections on extraterrestrial life forms.
Instructions
In the installation area, you can
- observe the creatures;
- come in contact with them by standing on the mark in front of the screen. Move and watch the
creatures change their form and sound;
- merge with the creatures and create an entirely new biomorphic organism. Stand on the mark
close to the screen. The vertical line on the video projection will guide you to the proper
symmetrical position.
Be sure to take pictures to experience the installation to the fullest.
Technical description
The installation consists of three video projections that depict three different creatures.
When the viewer moves in the interactive projection zone (from 3 meters away to the
projection), the image and sound change depending on the intensity of the movements.
The images are generated in real time, powered by the random number generator. It sets the
initial shape of each object, as well as Perlin noise, the parameters of which change
continuously depending on the movements of the viewer.
From a mathematical point of view, the set of parameters of each object is a point in a
multidimensional real space. This means that the probability of getting two duplicate images
amounts to zero. Thus, "biomorphic organisms" are unique every time.
The images are generated by means of technology, which we call "subtractive video synthesis,"
that is - video synthesis, based on cutting off the "superfluous" parts of a three-dimensional
object, similar to a sound subtractive synthesis or the work of a sculptor with stone. In our case,
there is a surface of a 3D object that is repeatedly duplicated with parameter changes and
modulation of the vertex position using Perlin 3D noise. Next, we randomly cut off the extra
polygons of the object. The transparency and color of the polygons are controlled by several
textures, which are also generated in real time be means of several Perlin noise functions.
We believe that the style of "subtractive video synthesis", that is, sequential clipping of the
unnecessary, returns to media artists the working practice that classical artists engaged in
creating physical sculptures. It’s the only method that brings greater expressiveness of
dynamics and interactivity of the received object.

12. Speed of color
Interactive video installation, 2017
No one really knows what extraterrestrial life looks like. But what if it exists in the form of a color
or a sound wave? The installation offers the viewers to communicate with the wave.
With their movements, the spectators generate space-color waves of digital liquid that appear
on a large projection screen of the video installation. The screen is similar to a digital pool filled
with a virtual colorful liquid, the physical model of which is different from the real one. It slowly
pulsates and changes color over time and reacts to any number of people in front of the screen.
The installation was first presented in May 2017 at the Kuflex #1 Exhibition at the Media Art
Abrau Gallery.
Instructions
Move along the screen at a distance of about 2-3 meters. All your movements will create waves
of color.
Technical description
Silhouettes of people are detected by depth cameras. The virtual fluid model is computed in a
program written in openFrameworks using a hybrid water model and Hooke's law. The final
image on the screen is generated using shaders in Unreal Engine, using the mathematical
algorithm Perlin Noise.