Since kids shouldn’t have all of the fun, TIFF hosted an exclusive evening social at digiPlaySpace™. The first ever digiPlaySpace: After Hours featured a live DJ, dancing, cocktails, appetizers, and access to digiPlaySpace™, TIFF’s award-winning interactive exhibition. For one night only, access was restricted to those over 19 years of age.
Candy Table
The TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium was converted into a lounge with drinks sponsored by Grolsch and Three Olives Vodka. The atmosphere was set by Halo, a large-scale interactive light-based installation by Vancouver artists, Alex Beim and Travis Kirton. This 72 RGB LED grid of halo rings changed rhythmically to the beats dropped by DJ Summation and the guests’ movements. After enjoying an assortment of cocktails and appetizers, including a candy bar station, guests entered the exhibit to get their hands on the new media installations.
Guests were first greeted by the Canadian premiere of Water Light Graffiti, by French new media artist Antonin Fourneau. Thousands of LED lights were mounted on a wall, which turned on when “painted” with water. Water creates an electrical bridge, allowing the current to pass through the circuit and powering the LEDs. Everyone can create their own temporary masterpiece. Painters not only used sponges to create graffiti. It can also be created with a water pistol, paintbrush, or water spray—the damper, the brighter.
Photograph by Ingrid Goh. Water Light Graffiti by Antonin Fourneau.
Photograph by Ingrid Goh. Water Light Graffiti by Antonin Fourneau.
The world premiere of Toronto’s Catshrine and Endless Films’ The Magnificent Transmogrification Station allows visitors to use the “Change-o-Lever” to transform into creatures of their imagination.
Photograph by Ingrid Goh. PaperDude VR by Globacore.
Globacore’s PaperDude VR pays homage to Atari’s videogame Paperboy. Players hop onto a bike, strap on a virtual-reality headset and pedal through their paper route. This is achieved by combining the technology of Oculus, Kinect, and KickR. Although this game is an early prototype, developers hope to add in obstacles, a dirt bike course, and internet leader boards.
Photograph by Ingrid Goh. Super Pong by SuperUber.
SuperUber’s Super Pong installation is inspired by Pong and Foosball. Initially displayed at the 2006 World Cup in Berlin, this world-travelled piece accommodates up to eight player in its Canadian premiere.
Photograph by Ingrid Goh. Be in the Scene!
Be in the Scene! allows guests to join scenes using green-screen technology. Other activities include 3-D printer creations, robot building and an assortment of video games.
“Whether you are a player, gamer or everyday mobile-user, this event offers something for everyone.”
Visitors to digiPlaySpace™ are “immediately engaged as they discover interactive activities from all around the world,” says Elizabeth Muskala, Director of TIFF Kids. digiPlaySpace™ provides “tools to explore the growing possibilities of digital media, in a fun and welcoming environment,” added Nick Pagee, Curator of TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace.
Presented by Accenture, the 2014 digiPlaySpace™ theme is playing and creating. The exhibit features works from Canadian and international artists and is organized into three main areas: interactive installations, hands-on engagement, and an app-cade populated with the latest mobile devices.
Winner of the 2013 Ontario Museum Association (OMA) Award of Excellence in Programs, digiPlaySpace’s third annual exhibit stimulates creativity, imagination and innovation through dynamic interactive media installations. The variety of engaging activities appeals to individuals of all ages and technological skills. You’re never too old to play!
digiPlaySpace™ is open from until April 21, 2014. Tickets to this timed digital playground are $10. Admission is free for TIFF members.
