AURA

Aura is an electromagnetic field that our body radiates into our surroundings. It is a visual representation of a person’s spiritual energy through colours. Since the 1970’s, photography has been used as a ‘medium’ to let us see this aura and interpret these colours to understand more about ourselves, personalities or our current state of minds. With the use of new media, a newly-interpreted aura photography and aura reading theories allows us to discover unspoken feelings and state of being.

The project embraces these so-called irrational and unproven theories and photographic practices, which have been systematically overlooked by the conventional understandings of Bauhaus. Through an actualized technique of aura photography, to challenge the boundary of things that we consider ‘knowledge’ in the educational system. 

Hidden underneath the basement of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, participants were invited to take part in aura photography and reading session using media heart rate sensors and colour reading to learn more about their body and soul.

With the light and colours from this device, participants are allowed to actively interact with the space by using their choice of movements, of which after being captured by a long exposure camera setting (light painting technique) and will eventually become an extension of their bodies, an aura of their own. After capturing one’s aura, participants are welcome to join the reading session, where I give my personal interpretation of the captured aura. Telling one’s personality and state of mind.

This project is recognized as one of the 22 nominees in the category ‘Future Trends and Prototypes’ from Media Architecture Biennale 2023 (MAB23) Student Awards.