Perception Cube is an interactive installation that demonstrates how internal mental states influence our perception of the external world. Inspired by the psychological concept of "priming," the cube visualizes the fluid boundary between subjective experience and objective reality. As brainwave data streams in real time from an EEG device, the cube's LED lights shift in color and intensity, acting as a mirror for the user’s emotional and mental state. In the default state, the cube is white; but when the user enters into a meditative state, the cube will pulse blue instead.

Materials:

• Structure: Wooden cube frame (12 custom-cut sticks, glued and reinforced)
• Lighting: Individually addressable LED strips
• Electronics: Arduino Uno, Max/MSP, OSC for live data streaming
• Software: Arduino IDE for light control and color interpolation

The project’s process involved designing and building the cube from scratch, wiring and programming the LEDs, and integrating real-time neurofeedback using OSC and Max/MSP. As users shift into more relaxed or attentive mental states, the lights dynamically transform, reflecting these subtle inner changes in an external, tangible form.

The Perception Cube reveals how much of our experience is shaped by emotions, demonstrating how reality can "warp" based on internal filters. By shortening the feedback loop and making these shifts visually explicit, the piece creates a more lucid connection between internal emotions and the external world.

Impact and Future Directions:
The concept has sparked interest from therapists, sound healers, and neurotech enthusiasts for its potential applications from my initial tweet. For example, the cube could aid nonverbal communication for individuals with language disorders, serve as a biofeedback tool in therapy sessions, or function as an ambient mental health device for homes.

In collaboration with a sound therapist in Japan, I’m currently exploring the use of these cubes in group meditative settings. Participants could hold the cubes during sessions, with the collective glow shifting to a calming blue as the group enters a relaxed state. This work represents a step toward designing consumer-focused tools for emotional awareness, mental health, and deeper human connection.