Physx

Since the Corona positive cases started to rise again in the Netherlands and all around the world, more strict social distancing measures had to be taken. All the proposed models were based on a static solution, circles on the grass, tape in the restaurant, generally people are confined in a given space but we know, daily reality is much different. Is it possible to imagine a dynamic model and creating interaction thought social distancing?

Physx placed in front of Rotterdam central station, takes inspiration from the space-time surface theorized by Einstein, on which each astronomical object, through its mass, generates a gravitational pressure which, deforming it, defines an area of ​​interest relating to the force exerted.

The installation consists in a tight tend surface, made of an elastic fiber, raised from the ground of about 50 cm. Once a person step on the membrane, this one absorbs the pressure, bending in a depression-like valley around the pressure point in an area of ​​1.5 m. The membrane stretches and reveals the inner fibers that are in different colors. Automatically a colored “safe zone” of 1.5 m with different intensity is generated around the person, defining the distance that should be kept while interacting with the other people.

When people get close to each other, the personal areas start to blend together showing that the measures are not respected. Thanks to the different colors of the fibers it is also easy to understand what’s the grade of danger people face standing next to each other. Physx does not need any type of support or electricity to function and is capable of operating in any condition, both indoors and outdoors, in the sun or in the rain.