On stage is an acrylic box with a deflated latex balloon that is stretching between two nozzle-like inputs that are mounted to the sides of the box. Two players/performers inflate the shared balloon within the box. Microphones amplify the sound of each breath’s contribution and flow sensors calculate which player has contributed the most to the shared whole. As one player contributes more air than the other, the audio from the microphones is “pushed,” panning between the left and right speakers. Once a player begins to win, they are emboldened by the sound of their own breathing. The two players continue to compete until the balloon pops.

Hot Air was performed at the 2017 Game Art Festival; Breath Bank is the next iteration of the project.