Walk into a modern art museum, a tech festival, or even a public square, and you’re bound to encounter an art installation that moves when you approach, lights up your voice, or shifts colours based on your heartbeat. These aren’t just sculptures or light displays; they are responsive experiences, merging art and engineering. And, while the final effect may feel almost magical, there’s a hidden layer of technology making it possible: embedded systems.
In this article we are going to immerse ourselves and explore how the connection between embedded systems and human’s ability to create, blend together creating amazing result. Let’s light up the art of what is behind what your eyes can see.
What is Interactive Art?
Interactive art invites the audience to actively participate, rather than simply observe. It’s art that changes in real time, reacting to movement, sound, touch, or other inputs. From large-scale installations that react to crowds to wearable tech used in dance performances, the key is responsiveness. You don’t see it only in museums and art galleries; they are often used as tourist attractions outside that attract a lot of attention. Among the many amazing examples of such kind are Fontana di Trevi in Rome and Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan.
While technology has entered our lives in many forms, it has also transformed the way art is experienced. The interactive art discussed in this article has evolved as well, creating a powerful emotional impact on its audience.
In the past, interactivity was often mechanical, taking the form of a crank, a lever or a mirror. Today, it has progressed into something far more dynamic and digital, powered by software and microelectronics. At the heart of it all are tiny yet powerful devices known as embedded systems.
Embedded systems & Interactive art
If you’re wondering what we mean by “invisible art” in this case what embedded systems are, here’s a quick explanation: Embedded systems are specialised computing devices designed to perform specific tasks. Unlike general-purpose computers, they are often hidden inside other machines (think of the controller in a washing machine, a smart thermostat, or a car’s ABS system). In the world of interactive art, these systems act as the brains behind the responsive behaviour. They quietly power the magic, enabling installations to react to sound, movement, light, or touch without being seen. This gives massive power to artists, museums, galleries, and cities to use their creativity and use these benefits to bring emotions to life.
The reason behind their growing popularity in artistic applications lies in the many benefits they offer. Embedded systems are compact and lightweight, energy-efficient, cost-effective, and programmable to handle real-time interactions – making them an ideal choice for interactive art.
There are many ways to implement embedded systems, and the following are just a few examples.
A Reactive Light Sculpture
There are remarkable sculptures that light up in patterns depending on how close visitors are. But how does this actually work? The key lies in ultrasonic sensors, which measure the distance of passers-by. An Arduino microcontroller then interprets this data and activates a programmed light display using LED strips. As someone approaches, the lights ripple outward – a soft, glowing invitation that brings the artwork to life.
Sound-Driven Wall Mural
Another example is a wall-mounted mural embedded with microphones and LED panels. When someone speaks or sings, the volume and pitch determine the colour and intensity of the lights. The system, powered by a Raspberry Pi and sound analysis software, transforms voice into a visual artwork.
Wearable Art in Performance
In performance art, embedded systems have enabled dancers to wear responsive costumes. One notable piece, for example, uses pressure sensors in gloves and feet, triggering sound samples and visuals in real time. The microcontroller system is compact enough to be worn, yet powerful enough to process multiple inputs simultaneously.
What goes into the invisible art?
These installations may look effortless to the eye, but behind them lies a complex mechanism that brings the art to life. Interactive artworks typically rely on a set of core components working together. To better understand how it all works, let’s break down the key elements that make it happen.
Sensors: The Eyes and Ears
The sensors detect the audience’s input such as movement, sound, temperature, or touch. Popular choices include:
- Infrared or ultrasonic sensors to detect proximity or motion
- Microphones to pick up sound or voice
- Light sensors to adjust display brightness
- Pressure pads for touch-based interactions
Microcontrollers: The Brain
This is where all the processing happens. Based on the sensor inputs, the microcontroller decides what response to trigger. For instance, if someone walks past an artwork, the system might interpret that motion and light up an LED array in response.
Actuators and Outputs: The Artistic Expression
These are the visible or tangible elements that the system controls:
- LEDs or projectors for visual effects
- Speakers for audio responses
- Motors to move physical parts of the sculpture
- Screens that display changing images or text
Connectivity and Power
Art installations might be powered by batteries, solar panels, or connected to mains. Some use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to sync with mobile apps or to talk to the cloud.
The Future: Where Art Meets Edge Computing
While the previous examples focused on how embedded systems are being used today, the future where technology meets art is even more exciting. The next wave of interactive art is expected to be more intelligent, immersive and sustainable than ever before. With the integration of AI, artworks will move beyond simple reactions, recognising emotions, patterns and behaviours to create more personalised and engaging experiences that feel almost intuitive.
In parallel, advances in edge computing are reshaping how and where data is processed. Rather than sending information to remote servers, complex inputs like video and audio can now be analysed directly on the embedded device itself. This enables faster, real-time responses and reduces dependency on cloud connectivity which is a major advantage for installations located in outdoor or remote environments.
As the boundaries between viewer and artwork continue to blur, interactive art is evolving into something more than responsive, it is becoming perceptive, adaptive, and alive. At the heart of this transformation lies the quiet force driving it all: the embedded system. Though often unseen, it is the essential foundation enabling art and technology to speak to us in new and deeply human ways.
Roedan’s work in art
At Roedan, we’ve applied our embedded systems expertise across various industries and now, we’re bringing that experience to the art world.
We’re currently working on a solution designed to ensure secure and reliable tracking of art in transit. As we look to the near future, our focus will shift even more toward refining and enhancing this system.
If you’re an art gallery, museum, or private collector, we’d love to connect and share more about what we’re building.
📅 Book a meeting and let’s talk art, tech, and how we can help protect what matters to you.
