This project was created by University of Tartu students Kreete Kuusk and Henri Maandi as part of their bachelor's theses in 2025. It features six interactive digital artworks inspired by nature. All the visuals are created using the Godot game engine and a depth camera. Below are the descriptions of each individual artwork and more info about interactive art and depth cameras.
This visual is inspired by the mesmerizing northern lights in a starry sky. Stand in front of the screen and move around to experience dynamic visual feedback. The closer you are to the camera, the brighter the lights become.
Author: Kreete
This artwork features a single lily and a bee. It uses 3D models to create an interactive experience: the flower opens up as you approach the camera.
Once open, it releases pollen, and a small bumblebee appears. The bee moves toward the point closest to the camera, allowing you to control it by reaching out your hand.
The bee can also collect pollen when in close proximity. If no interaction occurs, the flower closes and waits for its next admirer.
Author: Kreete
This 3D visual features a jellyfish underwater. Users can move their hand to generate bubbles on the screen. The jellyfish will follow the bubbles, trying to catch them.
If no bubbles are present, the jellyfish floats around the screen.
Author: Kreete
This artwork is inspired by the appearance of billowing smoke. Stand in front of the camera to see yourself depicted as a misty, almost ghost-like figure.
Author: Henri
This artwork is a simulation of the growth of a slime mold that is occasionally referred to as "the blob". Move closer and see how you can affect the transport networks of the simulated organism.
Author: Henri
This artwork is based on a technique called smoothed particle hydrodynamics, which is meant to simulate the behaviour of individual particles in a fluid. Move around and see how the water around you flows and creates waves.
Author: Henri
Interactive digital art is a form that brings together technology, creativity and people. At its core, it is an artwork created using technology that adapts and evolves based on the user's presence and interaction. This project used a depth camera for capturing the viewers movements.
There are many unique interactive digital art installations that exist in the world. A great example is an exhibition in San Fransisco called "Continuity" created by TeamLab. It featured a digital ecosystem where different flowers bloomed and white crows flew around. The visuals interacted with the visitors and even each other.
The Realsense SR305 depth camera was used in this project to make the visuals interactive. The video stream transmitted by this specialized camera provides a result where each pixel value represents the distance from the camera at that specific point. Thus, depth represents the distance between the camera and the object.
Depth cameras allow us to capture depth images, which were used in this project to create interesting visuals.