A DIGITAL IMMERSIVE STREET ART EXPERIENCE
A DIGITAL IMMERSIVE STREET ART EXPERIENCE
The brief for this project was to do research into the creative industries that engage with immersing people and propose a visitor centre which represents and accommodates that artform of activity in a digital manner. These immersive experiences could vary from virtual reality to screens to even alternating forms which play with the human senses. Along with this we were advised to include other spaces such as lobbies, cafes, teaching rooms, exhibitionary spaces, etc.
The proposals are intended to be the main entrance to a larger building and, therefore my concept was to create a landmark to celebrate an important function. The design is a marked contrast to the vernacular of Brick Lane and it is of no distinct pattern. It meanders between the existing Victorian buildings and what remains of the listed wall of the railway viaduct. I considered the latter to be an important element in the context of the proposed building. etc.
There is a focus on engaging with the public through the idea to interactive graffiti in recognition of the prevalent trends of street art in the Brick Lane area. It also looks at experimenting with spray painting in light and dark areas using the latest available technology; a concept which would not have been previously possible.
When you enter through the doors of the ground floor into the reception area, you almost remain in contact with the external world, as double-glazed screens allow people to appreciate the view of the listed wall, bounded by elegant arches. The purpose was to create an open and transparent completely glazed ground floor space with some exhibitionary double glazed glass screens that feature graffiti from in the outside and inside (as an almost statement facade), leading up to the main immersive on the first floor. Here it is proposed to accommodate a complex of digital graffiti walls, with special daylight tracking systems and LED/halogen lights from the dark areas. Consequently, the interactive screen on the walls become capable of receiving any medium used to create any custom online artwork, through the use of infra-red spray, stencils or touchscreen. This creates an immersive experience for for all ages, albeit it is anticipated that it will especially engage with traditionally the most creative of groups - children. Incidentally, any walls on the proposed building and the restored railway wall and arches are sprayed with anti-graffiti coatings.