“On a dark computerscreen the viewer sees a threedimensional sphere with a surface showing a closeup view of human skin. By lifting up the mouse and moving the ball underneath with the thumb the movement of the virtual object can be manipulated.
“Impalpability” is an attempt to define the relationship between digital image and interface. The regular use of computers makes us think, react and distinguish increasingly through the interface. To give a “virtual sensation” Fujuhata chooses detailed views of his own skin which he lays as a surface around the computer generated sphere. The movement of the thumb is visible as a flexible visual field on the screen. The impression of the object is abstract and sensual at the same time and in a new disturbing manner it poses the question what it is you actually touch: the mouse or the image? The image or the human skin?”

– From The Digital Archive

Remediated in the DVD-ROM Complete Artintact 1994–99: The Artist’s Interactive CD-ROM Magazine on DVD-ROM (ZKM, 2002)

“Impalpability prompts users to feed input by manipulating skin-clad balls. By touching the trackball on the mouse’s underside, users spin the ball, controlling its speed and sometimes its direction. The user’s action has a clear effect on the screen. The freedom given to users is significant—while the artist or computer provides the emulation, the work is only complete when users freely move their fingers. The absence of instructions also allows users to gradually form their own interpretation through embodiment.” – Yushu Wang

Read more student works here!

Impalpability is featured in Interactive Cinema: The Ambiguous Ethics of Media Participation (Marina Hassapopoulou, 2024), in “Chapter 1: Sense and Interactivity.” Visit InterArchive.net for more.

See play through by Marina Hassapopoulou below: