Project
Hummingbird, United Kingdom, London by Jack Hardiker
-A multi-channel installation for the gallery, the home, classroom or outdoors, which tells the cautionary tale of hummingbird classification and AI-
Throughout history the arts have influenced society and culture. However, art is consistently undervalued in education, and in many low income countries, art teaching is almost non-existent. ‘Hummingbird’ is a digital platform that presents educational, artistic and immersive experiences using ubiquitous devices such as basic smartphones, tablets and computers. For this first experience, the platform transforms a number of these devices into an immersive multi-screen artwork with synchronised video and sound, for the classroom, home or outdoors. The piece tells the cautionary tale of hummingbird classification and AI. To demonstrate the platform in a gallery or museum setting, I have also developed a physical installation that encases six screens and speakers in wood and metal structures.
Social Painting – Embrace the differences 2020, Germany, Weimar by Ruo-Xuan Wu, Ann Böttcher
-An interactive projection space that leads to reflection of discrimination-
Social Painting – embrace the difference – a game for everyone to overcome social prejudices and discrimination in a playful and artistic way. The interactive media installation provides a platform for communication and information between all kinds of people to ring them closer. Social Painting is an age-friendly and simple rules game, we can reach out to almost everyone. The interactive installation is not only interesting for participants, but it also includes the spectators through changing the colors of paths with tablets. To find out more and create a better future for society – jump on the playfield and start moving. Do not think black and white, play with color – embrace the difference.
Shape-Shifting Architecture 2021, Germany, Weimar by Ahmad Hafez
-A project on user-responsive kinetic design of urban open spaces and their impact in redefining the Ammani Urban Pockets-
Shape-Shifting Architecture is a project on rethinking the design and utilization of urban open spaces (UOS), primarily in a decentralized metropolitan setting, done by taking a deconstructionist approach through evaluating the efficacy of these spaces in regards to their temporal socio-economic narrative that is driven by a globalized discourse, while simultaneously recognizing the main elements of their spatial distinction. That then proposes an alternative form of UOS creation, incorporating tactile, modular segment designs and user-responsive technological instruments into the creation of a constantly temporal and changing space, encompassing elements of its urban host, while being automatically driven by and for its user(s). Hypothesized for the implementation in the context of reclaiming lost urban spaces – Urban Pockets, situated in decayed, historic parts of the Ammani metropolis, Jordan. transforming them from fixed urban elements to highly responsive tactile modules, active and reactive to a cluster of momentary actions.
Interview
KOOZ How would you define 'media architecture' and how does it relate to your project?
Ann Böttcher Media Architecture is the art of combining technology with space. For me it’s something completely different than traditional architecture.Media architecture can create an entire different world in which people Can feel something completely new and unexpected. In our Project the MediaArchitecture is used to create a safe space for all different kind of people to connect and exchange experiences and information. We use the an interactive installation to bring people closer together to overcome social inequalities.
KOOZ What role can this play in engaging us in meaningful collective civic conversations?
Ruo-Xuan Wu Social Painting plays the role of an entry point to an existing larger issue of societies all around the world: it gives people a chance to experience discrimination. It also plays the role of a platform for the visitors to discuss and face the issue directly. After experiencing our project, visitors are more likely to reflect on the reasons behind the phenomenon and one day they may stand out and speak up for the victims of discrimination if they witness it in later life.
Jack Hardiker Critical analysis is integral to my practice. I am a vocal advocate for the inclusion of a diverse range of voices in the creative process, and draw particular inspiration from Donna Haraway’s Situated Design Methodologies. My work examines human bias through questions of who is seen and heard, but more importantly, who is not.iii The powerful tools we carry around in our pockets can be a portal into engaging and (relatively) democratic media experiences, unlocked from specific physical locations. That said, it is still important to recognise the new barriers this way of working can introduce. We must remain mindful that so-called commonplace technologies are not in fact accessible to everyone and we must strive to improve this. Ubiquitous technologies have the power to involve new audiences in artistic dialogue. Rather than merely serving as platforms for existing work, I am excited by the possibility of creating work especially for these devices.
KOOZ How and to what extent can media architecture inform in the democratisation of arts and culture? And what are the implications?
Jack Hardiker The creative use of ubiquitous technologies like mobile phones presents exciting opportunities for us to overcome some of the traditional barriers to accessing art, such as age, geography, socioeconomic and disability status. Covid-19 has exposed the need for art and culture to be accessible beyond the limits of major cities and urban artistic hubs.
Ahmad Hafez The nature of this emerging field starts with a bottom-up approach, that requires the notion for radical experimentation, which in itself is in my view, the collective extension of art, culture and technology, built on the basis of creating a spatial or architectural meaning, serving as a mixture and a celebration of alternative spatial design, where the boundaries are constantly challenged and re-envisioned, allowing for constantly redefining the implication of art, culture and technology outside the realm of architectural design into various disciplines, that in turn act on developing the architectural field as a whole.
Bio
The Media Architecture Biennale is the world’s premier event on media architecture, urban interaction design, and urban informatics. This year, due to the ongoing global pandemic the Media Architecture Biennale 20 (MAB20) had to be adapted and re-imagined. Therefore, the MAB20 Program will take place online:
- Workshops | June 24th – 29th | via Zoom
- Online Conference | June 30th – July 2nd | via virtual conference platform
Registrations are now open. For more information visit: www.mab20.org
