Human connections matter—now more than ever
In this unprecedented time of physical distancing, self-isolation and virtual gatherings, our desire to connect is stronger than ever. We yearn for the freedom to interact, share, explore and participate. While public spaces have always been key economic and cultural drivers, allowing our societies to gather and to interact, we’re now faced with a very important question: How might we safely use our shared environments to remain connected with each other, our cities, and our cultures?
Bringing the public back into public spaces
At Moment Factory, we are driven by a passion to bring people together through collective moments of wonder. While this new reality presents a variety of challenges and constraints, ranging from contactless interactions to physical distancing and crowd flow management, it also offers opportunities for creativity and innovation. Our team is imagining a new generation of digital campfires, from digital art exhibits and interactive games to immersive multimedia journeys and projection mapping. Moving forward, we’re looking back on some of our favorite projects to light the way.
Rethink public participation, on-site and online
As we try to counterbalance social isolation, we believe that participative experiences, whether online or in-person, will be central to keeping the collective spirit of our shared environments alive.
Megaphone, created in partnership with Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles and the National Film Board, used voice recognition and projection mapping to bring a university’s façade to life with words sourced directly from the public. Similarly, we partnered with Canadian Tire at Toronto’s Union Station to create a 30-foot interactive Christmas tree. The installation responded in real-time to the social media messages of well wishers, engaging visitors both on-site and online by means of a webcam and micro-site.