Output details

Urban Intersections - An interactive urban installations in contested virtual spaces

This public installation investigates how interactive artworks can offer a framework to facilitate discourse around issues within communities, in which members of the audience can represent themselves, thereby portraying diverse worldviews. This work contributes to a body of knowledge on art practice that engages with communities, raising awareness, drawing attention, challenging preconceptions, questioning conventions and stimulating dialogue around issues (Lippard, 1997).

This research project created an urban screen in a public open space, specifically located to attract a broad demographic to engage in the artworks. A site visit was undertaken as part of the research methodology to create a site-specific work, investigating the areas affected by the troubles in Belfast and subsequent developments in the city. Material gathered was used to inform the development of this site-specific work, borrowing from the language of existing murals used by both sides throughout the troubles, unique to a highly charged political and historical context.

The environment was built in Open Simm and this space referenced the first life environment, so that the public could connect to the screen, but with improvisations that reflected the language and environment of the murals. I worked with an industry partner, “Second Places” (http://www.secondplaces.net/opencms/opencms/) to develop a unique motion sensing capability within the software that tracked the audience, enabling the user to become the interface controlling the avatar's movement through the Open Simm space. The installation referenced the concept of the garden with its boundaries and also its potential for community engagement.

The work was presented at night using image projection technology. The audience of 200 brought together communities that would not otherwise interact, including: specialists in interactive media; artists and curators from the festival; locals passing through the public square; and virtual visitors.