Hello all…

I work upon a not-for-profit project initiated by the BBC/British Broadcasting Corporation, which involves the installation of giant outdoor LED screens in major UK towns and cities.

The purpose of these is for the showcasing of creative talent; specifically within each region but also across the UK and indeed the world. Be it film, video, animation, programming, interactive media arts and live activities.

I myself manage the giant screen in the city of Liverpool, but also look after interactive and artistic content across the entire network (to date including Manchester, Birmingham, Hull, Bradford, Rotherham, Derby, Leeds, Liverpool and forthcoming in Swindon).

We are particularly keen to encourage motion-sensitive response and public interactivity utilizing onscreen surveillance-style cameras that point into the public space below. Here in Liverpool we have been the development site for this type of installation; see below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens/

http://www.icdc.org.uk/portfolio_BigScreen.aspx

http://future.iftf.org/2006/12/futures_thinkin.html

http://www.hmcinteractive.co.uk/digital_grass.php

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2007/02/27/bigscreen_rednose_feature.shtml


We are always looking for more applications, be they ‘ambient’ (capable of running as part of general operations, dipping in and out throughout the day or night), ’active’ (requiring street-level management, from fencing to stewards and/or additional infrastructure for a realisable time period or one-off events), or overnight ‘muteloops’ (screens operate 24/7, with audio, but go silent from midnight until 6am… this is a time when we can experiment with abstract/self-generating weirdness to entertain clubbers and night owls!),. Or indeed any other form you can think of.

I’ll be honest, we operate with very little budget and payment is not always possible, but SOMETIMES it is, especially when our respective city governors get all excited about a project and throw some cash our way. In my own patch of Liverpool, I am particularly looking for motion-sensitive works to showcase during 2008 when the city celebrates European Capital of Culture… and I’m determined to locate some funds to help make this happen.

At worst? Suitable projects feature upon an exciting, emerging platform that is still so experimental that no one, not anywhere in the world, really and truly is sure of what works and what doesn’t. How do I know? Because I’m also producing the arts and events programme for the largest international conference on the topic:


www.manchesterurbanscreens.org.uk

I’m sure you want to know about size, right? Typically 26 square metres, LED, around 10 metres high from street level.

Aside the overly complex and bespoke operating system (don't ask), each site has a standalone high-spec PC and mini-Mac, each with a feed of the on-screen camera (which can pan, tilt and zoom in or out for the desired angle), which we use for applications of this type.

What say you? Anyone? Interactive artworks? Responsive applications using a live video camera feed? The kudos, or the cash? You lot are the brains, while I provide the flesh-sacrifice required in running these inspiring yet occasionally infuriating behemoths.

Hello? (sniff)

Bren