Theo Watson and Zachary Lieberman of YesYesNo

YesYesNo is a new, interactive collective founded in 2008 by leading interactive specialists Zachary Lieberman, Theo Watson and Joel Gethin Lewis. Aiming to develop work that puts creativity and awe at the forefront of interactive media, YesYesNo specializes in creating engaging installations that combine creativity, artistic vision and cutting edge research.

Who or what inspires you?
The natural world and the research people in different fields are doing looking at how it works and what we can learn from it. The intersection between science and art and applying technology to tell stories in new and creative ways.

What makes the YYN collaborative dynamic unique?
We are firm believers in the notion that artistic practice is research, a kind of R&D department for humanity. That pushes our collaborations in interesting and unexpected directions.

What unites everyone at YYN?
A passion for tackling seemingly impossible ideas.

Lights On, YesYesNo’s first collective project, is an audio visual performance created for the Ars Electronica museum in Linz, Austria, which has a facade that contains 1085 LED controllable windows. The windows’ colors are changed in realtime with music that’s broadcasted on speakers surrounding the building.

Recent event that made you laugh?
Learning that bees send calls for backup when covered with a sweater.

What is the role of the viewer in your pieces?
The viewer is key component to our work, most of which is designed with the viewer as an active participant rather than a spectator. We want them to be physically immersed within our work, interacting, playing and discovering.

Drawn (2006) presents a whimsical scenario in which painted ink forms appear to come to life, rising off the page and interacting with the very hands that drew them. Created by Zachary Lieberman of YesYesNo

What element does magic play in your pieces?
Magic plays a big part in the work we do. We aim for our projects to create the sense of awe and wonder you feel when you see something seemingly impossible. Except rather than being a spectator you can participate in the magic yourselves.

Dream project?
Making something that leaves this planet.

Terrarium (2008) is an interactive, sonic ecosystem whose source of energy comes from the sounds people make interacting with the work. Created by Theo Watson of YesYesNo and Emily Gobeille

What (new projects) are you working on now?
An audiovisual performance tool that uses your biometrical data to create unique sounds and visuals. And more…..

See YesYesNo’s installation Card Play at the Flux Super 8 exhibition, August 15 - September 5, 2009 at Scion Installation L.A. Space; 3521 Helms Ave. (at National); Culver City, CA; +1-310-815-8840