The Oracle Machine is an abstraction of the concept “oracle” - a source of wisdom that goes beyond human understanding and is capable of predicting future events. The Oracle has its knowledge from the library’s many works and invites the visitor to participate in a fun and playful interactive universe of words and familiar quotes from the literature.

Taking form as an indefinable organic shape, consisting of small particles in constant motion, the Oracle Machine is a mysterious experience that allures and invites the visitors to interact. When the visitor is present a random question is asked to the Oracle. The question pops up on the wall for a moment until the Oracle takes on a new shape and an answer, in the form of a literary quote, slowly appears in the mass of particles on the wall.

The interaction is based on contour tracking using a Microsoft Kinect camera. When stepping in front of the camera the visitor’s upper body becomes the controller of the installation, so the visitor can move around and interact with the projection on the wall in real time.

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Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Photography: Yoke