At some point of our visit, our hosts invite the participants to create activities for a particular room of the museum. As you can imagine, we create a story.
A brief story of the effort behind Windows to the World project
As you know, we came with the idea to do something for the windows of Kauppahalli in Joensuu sometime in spring 2015. If you see the windows in the current state, they are really boring. We wanted to do something interactive with them for the people in the city.
View to Kauppahalli Windows in Joensuu, Finland
The city contacted us and we talked with them early November and agree with them to come with the an idea to do something for the windows by March 2016. However to agree on a date means that the challenge just starts. The concept, Windows to the World, emerged until December 2016.
There was not much time to produce something of quality. But it is thank you to an incredible team that this project was possible.
Dings develop almost all the hardware of this project. It was a demanding job, and I do not have real photos behind scenes of this stage. While in Finland we prepare other aspects of needed for the game to function for example:
Measure the windows in freezing temperature
Measuring the windows
We make a layout, to be sure of what we wanted, and for this project the measures needed to be precise!
Making a layout out on the windows
Analyse the amount of light to be sure the technology will work.
Analysing the amount of light
On Feb. 23, our partners of joenkilpituote came to put the layout to our windows.
Installing the material surround the window
Look how GREAT is the result:
Transformation of the windows started
Then we went to pick up the photos of the exposition, that our partners from Kuvanilma printed.
Picking up the printouts
Finally, on 25th of February, our partner from Germany arrieved and it is time to integrate the technology and do A LOT of tests.
Picking up the printouts
We embellish more the windows adding some black background, and tests continue while we were also setting up the installation. There were several details to take care of (e.g. the music of the exhibit, the sounds of the game, the set-up of the equipment) under really freezing temperatures.
Challenges were constant. For example the second windows was not really working, or challenges at the twilight…. but we always look the way to solve the challenge! 🙂
Testing and installation continue…
Also play testing was important
Testing gameplay with really special players! 🙂
Also testing at night….
Night testing
An last but not least, leaving all ready for the opening:
Final details
all in time to have “Windows to the World” ready for our public! 🙂
After a big effort of all the team involved, it is in this moments that everything pays off. When one can see people enjoying the exhibit and/or playing the game in this case.
To allow others to enjoy while discovering their environment is a special mission. It is to create life while supporting a process of learning, playing and communicating.
On Tuesday March 1st, 2016 at 3:30pm, we were at front of Kauppahalli building in downtown Joensuu, Finland. We were at front of the two windows which are hosting our temporal exhibition.
This exposition is outstanding for several reasons, among those: (i) it will be open 24 hrs for 31 days (ii) it is accessible to anyone who walks on this sidewalk (iii) It combines arts (photography and music) with technology (iv) people can interact at any time with the exhibition.
As you can see in the following photo, March 1st was a cold day here in Joensuu. However, independently of the weather people join us.
Minutes before the opening (photo taken by R. Albert)
The exhibition, Windows to the World, was officially open at 3:30pm and the lace was cut by our artists:
Our artists opening the exhibition: Claire Lacey (music) and D40oom (photography). Photo taken by R. Albert .
The exhibition invites the people to think about 4 particular topics relevant in our time: Technology, Nature, City and Crowd.
In a following posts we will present the different aspects of this exhibition. Now, let us celebrate that is finally open to the public. Below a photo of the team which work on all the last details before this day!.
Carolina Islas (from ubium), Chrstian Schweikert (representing D40oom and Dings), Claire Lacey (representing the music granted by cassisb) and Mikko Vinni (ubium). Photo taken by R. Albert
Additionally, our partners oversees made also publicity to the event as:
Ubium invites you to view their new temporary exhibit
‘Windows to the World’ @
Joensuu Market Hall, Finland
March 2016
In recent years, the Finnish national budget assigned to education has been in constant decline. This reduction has had a detrimental effect on research and development of different fields including the Arts and Culture. Simultaneously, we live in an era where the Western economy has seen the demise of its manufacturing industry and is becoming more and more reliant on the growth innovation can bring. Many organizations are trying to redress this issue by encouraging innovation through competitions. Ubium believes innovation through collaboration could be as, if not more, effective a starting point. Especially now when global networks mean social interaction has no borders.
Ubium, a ‘start up’ company based in Joensuu, is committed to innovating new ways of learning and creating, playfully, through the help of technology. Their focus has revolved around the use of cross cultural themes as a trigger for research and development. Inspiration, curiosity and motivation to learn are activated and encouraged within a given time structure towards a specified goal. Good communication and transferable skills being essential to a successful and meaningful outcome.
Windows to the World– is a non-funded public art project, presented freely to the people of Joensuu. They can listen to music, look at photographs, read our story and reflect on the composition’s message. They can also test their memory skills through an interactive sound and light game by touching the sensors on the outside of the two windows.
Ubium and all partners/sponsors have contributed their time, resources and expertise freely towards the realization of this idea. Contributors originate from Finland, Mexico, Germany, America and the UK. A full list of names/companies can be found on the QR next to the exhibit.
Launch party
You are warmly invited to join us for the official opening of Windows to the World
Tuesday, 1st of March, 3.30pm outside the Joensuu Market Hall / Kauppahalli,
Koskikatu 2, 80100 Karttalinkki
You will be able to meet the team
Then join us for an informal drink at the closest pub, 60s Palaver, Kauppakatu 22, 80100. Here we hope to bring together people interested in sharing ideas, experiences and knowledge on topics such as social education, networking, learning through computer gaming and technology, travel, culture, innovation…
We would also be very grateful to receive any feedback from the visual, auditory and interactive properties of our project towards further research or development
If you would prefer to send us your feedback, learn more about the project or just be put on our mailing list, please leave us your details or contact us through our blog at the website http://ubium.net/projects/kauppahalli/ or email feedback [at] ubium.net
Please note a short video film of this event will be taken
You are welcome to be a part of our journey!
Ubium and on behalf of all the Windows to the World’s partners and sponsors, Thanks!
