100 Ways to Save the City Projection
As part of FAM Fest 09, we did a projection performance on the roof of Metro Cleaners accessed from Empire Lounge in downtown Windsor.
For about an hour and a half, we presented our 100 Ways to Save the City and then asked for ideas from the folks on the ground, at Phog, and on the Twitterverse.
After the jump, there’s 160-something photos from all the ideas that were projected on Saturday night.
To start off the afternoon, we got onto the roof of Empire Lounge.
As we hadn’t had the chance to get up there before that day, we had assumed that the size of the roof would allow for a large projection.
Cristina took some photos from this incredible view.
Josh got up as well to help get the projector set up.
This was just a quick test that we were trying to get done before it started raining again.
We tested a slide with a black background, but it was no match for the daylight.
The view from the roof facing southwest.
The view from the roof facing west.
The view of Phog from the roof.
Mike taking a picture of Cristina taking a picture (insert loop here).
Trying to see how big the projection might be from the roof of Empire Lounge. We saw enough though to determine that the image wouldn’t be as large as we had hoped, so we looked to a different roof space.
Brining the extension cord back down to try the alternate location test.
Michelle was on the roof below holding the ladder for safety.
Emily, our fantastic liaison from FAM Fest made this whole thing happen.
From the roof of Metro Cleaners, under some huge umbrellas, we found the ideal location.
The computer running our slides in Keynote.
A few hours after the test, we started our series of projections. 100 Ways to Save the City.
A brief moment attempting to point the projector at a further distance.
We then started projecting messages that we received over Twitter, text message, and just from people yelling from the street.
From our new friends Lucy and Daragh.
Tom taking a quick break from bar-tending / collecting submissions to Tweet to us at Phog.
Danielle braving the rain and guarding the computer with a garbage bag. You can kind of see it, were were using a Max patch to enter the text live on one screen and project it on the second screen (projector).
Josh shielding the projector in the rain.
A message from Dr. Pender.
For Tom.
This was hugely successful as far as we were concerned. Thanks again to FAM Fest, Empire Lounge, Tom, and everyone who submitted!!! These projections really confirmed that this projector might do okay in some tests for Cross-Border Communication.
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i wish it was possible to keep these messages coming every night. thank you for making such a great, massive post : )
ps: windsor IS beautiful.
We’ll have to find an excuse to do a project like this more often … this location made it work really well though, as I’m not sure how long we could get away with projecting something like that without securing permission first. Thankfully Emily of FAM Fest really helped us out with that for this one.
I’d like to do something similar at Charles Clark Square though… or any other ideal locations?
FAM Fest was fantastic! Thanks again Emily!
I too would like to do something at Charles Clark Square, particularly when they create the ice rink (the perfect screen)
Also, I think we should project onto more politically symbolic sites of Windsor. I.e. the car factories, City Hall, Caesars.
Totally good call Danielle. Politically-charged places / things / buildings around the city are an excellent resource we should start collecting. Soooo much potential!!!
This was extremely fun and gratifying. I’m glad we finally came through with a projection of this scale (and calibre).
#76 is awesome.
That sounds (and looks) really great – tons of impact, and I love the interactive/community engagement piece to it.
Thanks Jen and Kim!
Josh, I have more ideas for other places to do similar things. We’ll talk this week.
Oh this is the best idea I’ve seen in a quite a while!
Well done! What a great way to encourage, inspire and support your community!
How many messages of hope are broadcast to people? We don’t see too many where I live.
It’s probably not something you could do every day, I imagine the town bylaws would shut you down but what a relief it is to see.
I bet the locals felt uplifted to receive such life affirming messages in an era when we are all so bombarded by corporate advertising from desire merchants and greed mongers!
WELL DONE!!!!!!
Thanks David! I’d like to think the project went over well with people who saw it or participated in it. We’re planning other projection projects, hopefully some before it gets too cold!
Brilliant! Glad you guys “showed up” to do this!
Contrats to all of you. It’s good to see a positive message send out to Windsor.
THANK YOU Jane and Barry!!! More to come!
thanks for the great memories, Em. good of you to re-post<3
wonderful piece!