<p>A Canada-based designer has developed unique new dresses that writhe around in mesmerising patterns and light up when someone stares at them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The dresses made by fashion designer Ying Gao contort and light up whenever they detects a fixed gaze.<br /><br />"We use an eye-tracking system so the dresses move when a spectator is staring. (The system) can also turn off the lights, then the dresses illuminate," Gao told Dezeen magazine.<br /><br />The dresses are embedded with eye-tracking technology that reacts to an observer's gaze by activating tiny motors that move parts of the dress in captivating patterns.<br /><br />One dress is covered in tendrils of photo-luminescent thread that dangle from ruched fabric.<br /><br />On the other, glow-in-the-dark threads form a base layer with fabric cut into ribbons loosely bunched over the top.<br /><br />With the lights off they create an effect similar to glowing sea creatures.<br /><br />"A photograph is said to be 'spoiled' by blinking eyes — here however, the concept of presence and of disappearance are questioned, as the experience of chiaroscuro (clarity) is achieved through an unfixed gaze," said Gao.<br /><br />Dubbed "(No)Where (Now)Here," the two interactive dresses will be exhibited at the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art in November, followed by a stint at the Textile Museum of Canada in the spring of 2014.<br /><br />Gao has also designed dresses that curl and unfurl in reaction to light, as well as garments that move as if they are breathing.</p>
<p>A Canada-based designer has developed unique new dresses that writhe around in mesmerising patterns and light up when someone stares at them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The dresses made by fashion designer Ying Gao contort and light up whenever they detects a fixed gaze.<br /><br />"We use an eye-tracking system so the dresses move when a spectator is staring. (The system) can also turn off the lights, then the dresses illuminate," Gao told Dezeen magazine.<br /><br />The dresses are embedded with eye-tracking technology that reacts to an observer's gaze by activating tiny motors that move parts of the dress in captivating patterns.<br /><br />One dress is covered in tendrils of photo-luminescent thread that dangle from ruched fabric.<br /><br />On the other, glow-in-the-dark threads form a base layer with fabric cut into ribbons loosely bunched over the top.<br /><br />With the lights off they create an effect similar to glowing sea creatures.<br /><br />"A photograph is said to be 'spoiled' by blinking eyes — here however, the concept of presence and of disappearance are questioned, as the experience of chiaroscuro (clarity) is achieved through an unfixed gaze," said Gao.<br /><br />Dubbed "(No)Where (Now)Here," the two interactive dresses will be exhibited at the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art in November, followed by a stint at the Textile Museum of Canada in the spring of 2014.<br /><br />Gao has also designed dresses that curl and unfurl in reaction to light, as well as garments that move as if they are breathing.</p>