Urban screen or exurban screen

All around the world, buildings are being projected on with wild and amazing digital art.  Animation has gone 3D and is growing out of old heritage buildings.  

There are many amazing examples on the internet that show spectacular animations as part of community celebrations. Some of my favourites include our beloved Hamer Hall in Melbourne being deconstructed last year during the Melbourne Festival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgVHXO1QZoA); or this one called “How would it be if a house was dreaming?” (http://www.urbanscreen.com/usc/41 )

Perhaps building projection has taken over from fireworks by providing major community events with the WOW factor.

Urban screens is a phenomena that is a part of this digital projection culture.  These differ slightly in that they are permanently installed screens that are programmed with various digital art, promotion or even propaganda.  They are electronic canvases in urban environments all around the world, including LED screens and signs, plasma screens, information terminals and projection surfaces as well as intelligent architectural surfaces and media facades.

And there is Frankston's screen at Cube 37.

London is also a prime example.  A number of years ago urban screens were set up in 18 sites across London in preparation for the Olympic Games. The aim being that the public could get a taste of what to expect in July and then in July to create a destination for families to enjoy the Games within their own borough. Like a large TV in the middle of the town square without the capacity to change channels. They are funded by the BBC, so have a slightly more commercial aspect to them, however, what it highlights is the power of digital mediums to bring people together and to create communities.

The likening to fireworks, where we all gather around in the dark with children on our shoulders and go ooohh ahhh at gun powder powered colourful explosions going off over our heads.  It brings us together as a community because we love to gather and we love spectacular.

This aspect of community building is something that is being explored on a much more ground roots level in urban environments all over the world.  Not all local areas can afford the likes of London’s urban LCD screens or the technical genius of the 3D animations on heritage buildings.  Any surface can be utilized, and cheaper technologies that can produce light, project colour and create atmosphere can be used to bring a sense of newness and aliveness into otherwise dark and empty areas of towns and cities.

Frankston is going to explore just this in late June.  exUrbanScreens is a project that is going to bring life to the dark corners of Frankston during the darkest time of the year.  Check it out www.exurbanscreens.com