Computer Petting Zoo

Excerpt from evaluation with residency host Making Ways

Computer petting zoo was a living installation of 3 recycled computers showing virtual pets created in dialogue with the people of Sheffield. Visitors were invited to pick up a controller, and interact with the pets by selecting actions such as “pat”, “play”, and “feed”. Sometimes the pets asked the visitors direct questions, which visitors answered by writing on post-it notes.

The pets’ responses changed over time. By copying the answers that people give to them – but more importantly, through ethnographic observation of how people acted around them – I was able to make these virtual pets into a mirror on the people who encountered them. They came to reflect visitors’ feelings about animal abuse, personal space, and nature.

I also organized a game jam and an unconference event to coincide with the installation, which enabled people to make their own games in a short space of time and discuss how to support interactive art in Sheffield...

...The installation space had an impact on wellbeing for visitors that I did not think I had designed for. People would come in and talk about their lives and their problems. For example, one young woman came in because she had an interest in videogames. She played with the pets for a while, and then started to talk about how she had severe mental health problems and had almost ended up in prison that day. We talked about the things we shared in common as trans people who struggle with mental health issues, and she said it was wonderful to find another trans person because she often feels isolated from the community.