CANVAS – Interactive Installation

Interactive media mostly enable communication with one person. Canvas, a playful installation for the Cologne-Kalk Public Library, on the other hand, invites several people to engage in artistic activity simultaneously and together.

The installation pursues a participatory goal: instead of just consuming moving images, visitors create their own. Using an intuitive design tool called Tagtool, users use iPads to digitally draw and animate their own designs - alone or as a community. The creations are projected onto a large, semi-transparent glass object. This can create simple doodles or complex visual worlds.

The installation and idea was developed in 2018 by Urbanscreen together with Dutch architect Aat Vos and Austrian company OMAi. The central visuals were designed by artist Max Goergen and form a modern basic design as well as an interesting basis for interactive engagement with the installation. The idea behind Canvas is based on the concept of "Third Places" and understands libraries not only as a place to borrow books, but as public spaces where people enjoy spending time.

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