In this podcast, you will learn how Lacunae, an interactive installation by Tasmanian artist collective Soma Lumia, has evolved through multiple iterations. Lacunae is an interactive installation that enables people to dance with others in different locations through projected silhouettes and sound.
In this conversation, Darryl Rogers and Troy Merritt from Soma Lumia share the journey of Lacunae. The project was born during COVID-19 to rethink how technology shapes human connection. It was originally designed for the Mona Foma festival as events began to re-open after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Since then, it has evolved, layering live and recorded interactions—where dancers move not just across space, but across time. Lacunae has become an ongoing experiment for Soma Lumia.
Listen to this episode to learn about:
Chapters
(00:00:00) Introduction and welcome
(00:00:05) Exploring Lacunae: an interactive art experience
(00:01:07) Origins and development of Lacunae
(00:03:17) Evolving versions of Lacunae
(00:06:20) Audience reactions and memorable moments
(00:07:41) Prototyping and technical challenges
(00:15:19) Collaborative process and team dynamics
(00:20:41) Reflections and advice for future projects
(00:23:08) Conclusion and final thoughts
About Soma Lumia
Soma Lumia is a tech-art collective based in Launceston, Tasmania, founded in 2015. Their work explores the boundary between physical and digital, movement and technology, real and virtual. The collective has presented projects at Illuminate Adelaide, Botanica, Beaker Street, the South Australia Museum, the University of Houston, and Mona Foma.
Their practice is deeply rooted in experimentation and collaboration, bringing in new voices—technologists, dancers, musicians, and designers—to expand each project’s scope. Lacunae is a prime example of how their work evolves over time, rather than existing as a single fixed installation. The core members are Darryl Rogers, James Riggall, and Troy Merritt.
Links from the podcast:
