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Yekti icon Incorporating Touch in Animation : Kinetic Apple No.2

Kinetic Apple No.2 Exhibit Display
Kinetic Apple No.2 | March 2024
Animated loop. 1 min
Expanded animation, hybrid 2D animation, and kinetic motion. Haptic display device made from servo motors, balsa wood pins, Arduino, and acrylic.

Kinetic Apple No. 2 transforms my everyday auditory experience into a captivating visual abstraction. Using hundreds of pins on haptic devices programmed to move in accordance with the custom abstract animations I created, the artwork responds dynamically to the rhythm of my body. With this work, I aim to share the essence of my movements and routines, translating them into an animation that can be touched. The juxtaposition of sound, 2D animation, and the pin’s movement creates a dynamic interplay of light, motion, and tactility.
This installation transcends the limitations of two-dimensional space, offering a multi-dimensional encounter that engages multiple senses simultaneously. It captures and converts intangible sound waves from our three-dimensional world into a concentrated, tangible form, making the unseen, both heard and seen. Kinetic Apple No. 2 invites viewers to reevaluate their relationship with digital interfaces, encouraging a richer, more physically engaging interaction with audio-visual content.


I strive to infuse the embodied experience, integrating elements such as touch, sound, rhythm, and emotion into both the spatial and temporal dimensions. This holistic approach ensures that my animations are not just seen but felt, inviting the audience to engage with the work through multiple sensory channels especially touch. By incorporating these diverse elements, I aim to create a richer, more immersive animation experience that resonates on a deeper, more intuitive level.
In my creative process, the material is far more than just an expressive medium; it is a conduit for connection and communication. The material holds traces of the artist's hand and body, serving as a tangible link between the creator and the viewer. Through the physicality of handcrafted objects and the intricate textures created in my animations, I share the rhythms and nuances of my daily life. This tactile dimension allows viewers to sense the presence and process of the artist, fostering a closer, more intimate engagement with the artwork.
Animation as art transcends its traditional role as a storytelling medium, becoming a powerful tool for conveying feelings, emotions, and complex sensory experiences. It has the unique ability to connect viewers intimately with the artist, creating a dialogic space where motion and fabricated time dimensions facilitate a profound exchange. In this space, animation communicates not just narratives but the essence of human experience, bridging gaps between the visual, the tactile, and the emotional, and inviting viewers to participate in a shared sensory journey.

The material holds traces of the artist’s hand and body, serving as a link between the creator and the viewer quote symbol

Bharoto Yekti
Bharoto Yekti
Nationality: Indonesian
Universitas Multimedia Nusantara / University of Glasgow

PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, Bharoto Yekti integrates tactile feedback into expanded animation. His work combines handcrafted objects, kinetic motion, and 2D animation, creating multi-sensory experiences that challenge visual dominance.