Introduction
There has been a significant impact on the visual appearance and experience of the urban environment as a consequence of the emergence of augmented public space. What follows is an attempt to capture at least some of the reality of this transformation in the inherent structure of urban spaces, where the virtual forms inherent in the interaction with media content are experienced simultaneously with the real structure of the built environment. Such a transformation has occurred primarily through the integration of the built environment with the, so called, “media layer” in that a range of digital display technologies and communications media now coexists with architecture. At the most basic level, one key argument is that, due to the application of display technologies such as large LED screen displays into city centre environments and the pervasive use of personal mobile communications devices, the majority of city centres in the UK now fall into the category of augmented urban spaces rather than this being confined to major international and global cities as suggested elsewhere (Manovich 2006).
A Case Study on the site-specific nature of Urban Screens
Themes:
- The Mediation of Place and Locality
- The Distinction between the Real and the Virtual
- The Body as a Frame of Information
#1 by Dave Mccall at February 10th, 2009
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The homogenous nature and signage of public spaces slightly bothers me. Taking for granted that these spaces are made under the thumb of mass capitalism, the spaces will replicate eachother as far as technology is concerned; ie: LED screens, integrated televisions and internet hotspots etc. this leads the individual to ‘react’ differently in relation to their surroundings. This human reaction is far more sensationalized and dramatic. Also. With the ever growing integration of CCTV in these areas, there must be a concern as to the realism of human nature in general. Even naturalism is questioned.
I can only guess that we shall all become actors that play and dance for our surrounding technology.
#2 by Patrick Allen at February 11th, 2009
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Thanks Dave…
There’s a couple of issues that come to mind in your comment:
1. The homogeneous nature of urban space especially from the point of view of visual representation, singage and information design – take a look at Auge’s book “Non-Places” and in more poetic terms the “continuous city”.
2. See Lev Manovich “The Poetics of Augmented Space” as he adds surveillance to the rich mix of media in urban space.