MEDIA ARCHITECTURE AND INTERACTIVE ART INSTALLATIONS STIMULATING HUMAN INVOLVEMENT AND ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SPACES

Katarzyna Urbanowicz,Lucyna Nyka

doi:10.12955/cbup.v4.819

Katarzyna Urbanowicz, Lucyna Nyka

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v4.819

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Abstract

This paper examines the potential for media architecture and interactive art installations to stimulate human involvement and activities in public spaces. On the basis of theoretical approaches, case studies and interdisciplinary surveys, the paper provides insight into how screens projecting media and interactive installations in city spaces can inspire people to become active on many levels. The research is focused, both on temporary and permanent art installations, that support new technologies to encourage people to interact with art objects and become actors in an urban performance. Media and interactive art can positively contribute to the urban landscape, foster public involvement, increase intensity of public life, and effectively enhance the identity of urban communities. The paper shows that, despite this potential for media architecture and interactive art projects, specific pre-conditions are needed for their success in urban environments. The paper focuses on the convergence of scale between the intervention itself and the assumed urban strategy, as well as on the time allowed for individual perception and active participation of people in the particular urban art scenario. As the research shows, the promotion of art pieces, through guided tours of the city, tends to reduce the perception of the installations themselves and almost excludes social interactions. Thus, while not so spectacular in scale, image, or number of visits, modest interventions that involve locals and allow time for relationship building between people, could be most effective in reaching urban renewal objectives.

Highlights

In recent years, media architecture and interactive installations have become increasingly present in urban landscapes
Media and interactive installations may have the power to increase the intensity of public life by supporting city spaces with ambiance to create meaningful co-presence of people and conditions for creative cooperation
An important precondition appears to be the time allowed for individual perception and active participation in a particular urban art scenario

Summary

Introduction

Media architecture and interactive installations have become increasingly present in urban landscapes. The application of new technologies in art and architecture frequently produces astonishing and surprisingly positive effects on peoples’ perception, feelings, and behavior. Despite the blame attributed to new technologies for impoverishing social contacts and poor quality of public life, today’s media art installations are increasingly being perceived as catalysts of change. This paper showed that, paradoxically, despite the technological nature, modern art forms can contribute to both digital and direct social encounters. Such art form is used to create lively spaces, where people may interact with the installation itself or with one another, or at least remain passively in the city space observing the work of art and other users of the space. In order to achieve these lively spaces, it is crucial to define necessary pre-conditions and identify the various factors that increase the effectiveness of such projects and art interventions

Human Engagement into the Public Life in the Contemporary City Spaces

Conclusion