TOCCO: When Art Needs Human Interaction to Exist

We live in a world where art is often treated as an untouchable object—something to be admired from a distance. But what if an artwork was incomplete without the physical interaction of the viewer?

This question guided me in developing TOCCO, a piece that challenges the traditional concept of art as a passive experience and instead invites the audience to touch, play, and create through direct interaction.

From Club Photography to Interactive Art

My artistic journey began in nightclubs, where I captured the energy flow between sound, light, and movement through photography. This immersive approach led me to develop Equilibrio, my first artwork, exploring the balance between stability and chaos.

With TOCCO, I wanted to take this concept further—not just to represent balance but to make it tangible. The piece consists of conductive metal surfaces that, thanks to capacitive sensors and a MIDI system, produce sound when touched. It is an artwork that exists only when activated by the audience.

The Future of TOCCO: Art, Sound, and Inclusivity

One of the most fascinating aspects of TOCCO is its potential to break sensory barriers. I drew inspiration from Neil Harbisson, the first officially recognized cyborg, who developed a device that allows him to “hear” colors through sound frequencies. This led me to explore how sound and physical contact with the artwork could help people with visual impairments, such as color blindness, experience color in a new way.

Art should not only be seen—it should be experienced, heard, and touched. I am exploring how the interaction between music and touch can enhance accessibility in art, turning it into a multisensory experience open to everyone.

Art and Technology: A Bridge Between the Physical and the Digital

TOCCO is not just an artwork—it is a technological experiment blending creativity and innovation. Using Arduino, I have transformed materials into interactive musical instruments, making the audience an integral part of the creative process.

I truly believe the future of art will be increasingly interactive, accessible, and capable of connecting people in new and unexpected ways. TOCCO is my contribution to this evolution.