*Do Not Touch* is an ever-changing interactive music video for the track *Kilo* by the Dutch band Light Light. After the earlier projects *One Frame of Fame* and *Now Take A Bow*, which invite online audiences to participate using their webcams, *Do Not Touch* celebrates and laments the end of the cursor. For decades this inconspicuous arrow has been the essential interface allowing people to communicate with their computers. In recent years the cursor, along with the clicking and dragging necessary to operate the mouse, is being replaced by a finger swiping across a touchscreen.

The *Do Not Touch* video starts with the message “Your cursor will be recorded” and invites users to participate by moving their cursor. They are asked to answer questions like “Where are you from?” and “Where would you like to go?” by pointing at maps shown in the video. Further, users are asked to perform small tasks like “Catch the green dot” while a green blob moves around the screen, “Form a mask,” which should be formed on top of the face of one of the singers and “Do not touch the model.”

While taking part, users see hundreds of cursors moving about in the background. These belong to others who have participated in the past. Together all the cursors form a swarm, displaying distinct behavioral patterns. It becomes apparent that many users do their best to complete the tasks, moving in line with the others and following instructions. Some, however, do not. They don’t take part at all or move about at random. Others explicitly do not follow the instructions, doing the exact opposite instead.

Cursor movements are recorded and automatically uploaded to the video. A new video is rendered every hour displaying the cursors of the last 1,000 participants.

Links: http://www.studiomoniker.com, http://donottouch.org/

Cast: Björn Ottenheim, Daan Schinkel, Alexandra Duvekot, Thijs Havens, Roberta Petzoldt Director: Moniker Line producer: Vargo Bawits, Flickering Wall DOP: Sal Kronenberg Focus-puller: Marinka Schippers Styling: Ogenda ter Haar Make-up: Paulien Hartman Still photography: Adina Renner Editing: Moniker Grading: Sal Kroonenberg and Moniker

*Do Not Touch* was generously supported by TAX-videoclipfonds

The Amsterdam-based interaction and media design studio Moniker was founded in 2012 by Luna Maurer (DE), Jonathan Puckey (UK) and Roel Wouters (NL). With Moniker, they explore characteristics of technology, how people use it and how it influences people’s daily lives. Often the audience is asked to take part in the development of their (on- as well as offline) projects which are set in motion through the actions of others and trigger a sense of play. Together with Edo Paulus, they authored Conditional Design http://conditionaldesign.org/. From 2013 Moniker continued the workshop tradition with their Thursday Afternoon sessions. http://thursdays.studiomoniker.com/