“Ephemeral Presence” translates the invisible digital languages embedded within Toronto’s urban landscape into a vivid, interactive experience. Drifting particles represent Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) data signals, which typically go unnoticed in everyday life. As people approach, these particles shift in real time, forming silhouettes that reflect each individual’s signal strength and movement. This interplay of human presence, data footprints, and communal space highlights the city’s hidden, nonverbal narratives.
In capturing these ephemeral connections, “Ephemeral Presence” expands the notion of language beyond spoken or written words, inviting audiences to consider how technology shapes contemporary urban life. The piece evolves continuously over the night, driven by each passerby’s participation, and transforms intangible networks into a playful, tangible spectacle. By revealing what usually remains unseen, “Ephemeral Presence” fosters a deeper sense of curiosity and reflection about our shared digital environment.