A Relational (Re)Turn: Revisit Interactive Art through Interaction and Aesthetics

Aven-Le Zhou

doi:10.1145/3773699.3773934

A Relational (Re)Turn: Revisit Interactive Art through Interaction and Aesthetics

Aven-Le Zhou^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Industrial Design

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

This paper revisits the concept of interaction in interactive art, tracing its evolution from sociocultural origins to its narrowing within human-computer paradigms. It critiques this reduction and proposes a relational (re)turn through reclaiming interaction as intersubjective and relational. Through a synthesis of aesthetic theories and case studies from Ars Electronica, the paper introduces Techno Relational Aesthetics, a new conceptual lens that emphasizes technologically mediated relationality. This approach expands interactive art beyond audience–artwork interaction and opens the possibility to broader relational practices.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	ARTECH 2025
Subtitle of host publication	12th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts: Media Art Cultures, Communities & Territories
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Pages	1-9
Number of pages	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3773699.3773934
Publication status	Published - 28 Nov 2025

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10.1145/3773699.3773934

The 12th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts (ARTECH) 2025
Zhou, A.-L. (Participant)
26 Nov 2025 → 28 Nov 2025
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in an event e.g. a conference, workshop, …

Cite this

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abstract = "This paper revisits the concept of interaction in interactive art, tracing its evolution from sociocultural origins to its narrowing within human-computer paradigms. It critiques this reduction and proposes a relational (re)turn through reclaiming interaction as intersubjective and relational. Through a synthesis of aesthetic theories and case studies from Ars Electronica, the paper introduces Techno Relational Aesthetics, a new conceptual lens that emphasizes technologically mediated relationality. This approach expands interactive art beyond audience–artwork interaction and opens the possibility to broader relational practices.",

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A Relational (Re)Turn: Revisit Interactive Art through Interaction and Aesthetics. / Zhou, Aven-Le.
ARTECH 2025: 12th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts: Media Art Cultures, Communities & Territories . Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2025. p. 1-9.

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Proceeding › peer-review

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A Relational (Re)Turn: Revisit Interactive Art through Interaction and Aesthetics

Abstract

Access to Document

Activities

The 12th International Conference on Digital and Interactive Arts (ARTECH) 2025

Cite this