Creating Spaces

Creating Spaces is a European (EFRO) research project exploring the possibilities of a hybrid system that integrates multi-touch, web, and mobile technologies to facilitate creative and cross-disciplinary participatory processes. The project develops a multi-touch table with an open and participatory interface to be used as a tool for constructing face-to-face workshops, as well as a tool in artistic environments to give visitors insight into design and artistic processes.

In our research we collaborate with several media art organisations who integrate participatory methods in their creative practice. We focus on concrete projects, in which the organisations engaged with communities from different disciplines. We analyse the processes of the projects: from the preparatory phase, to the project day(s) itself, and the post-project results. Based on this analysis, we will work with the organisations on the visualisation of future - technologically enhanced - scenarios based on their needs. The material generated from this collaboration will enable us to develop a rich and open system.

The multi-touch table will facilitate equal participants to work and discuss on both a verbal level as well as a visual one, enriching the communicative possibilities. Open Space workshops often consist of hybrid groups of participants. Their different profiles, backgrounds and expertise means they often do not speak the same 'language'. Adding a visual layer, that is open and adjustable to all participants, creates a new dialogue and enables everyone to join the conversation.

We strive for a system where online social media spaces integrate with physical places. Participants can prepare and share material online, but also on the multi-touch table itself during face-to-face discussions. The multi-touch is used as a tool during the workshop to share, edit and organise this material. The results from each working session will be shared on a web platform.

The first prototype of the multi-touch interface, Living Spaces, was installed at Place@Space-(re)shaping everyday life, a media-art exhibition at art centre Z33 (Hasselt, Belgium). The multi-touch display offered background information for visitors of the exhibition. Starting-points were the scenography of the physical space, as well as the users own trajectory through the exhibition space. The multi-touch display allowed the user to experience the exposition again, personalizing and modifying space by navigating thematically. In this way, the borders of space are challenged, they are makable and movable.

Based on this prototype, a continuation project was made possible with EFRO funding focussing on a participatory system for creative and cross-disciplinairy design processes, with a demonstration model scheduled for August 2009. 

EFRO-research project partners are Z33, EDM (UHasselt) & MDA (KHLim).