Mediated Play SpaceObservations, Research, &

Analysis

According to Carol Chiu, Julia Valera, and Joana Kelly

Locations

1) Columbus Circle/Grand Army Plaza

2) Union Square

3) Barcade

Union Square

Patterns: Day - Green Market (shoppers walk towards the outer

edges of the park) - area in flux - some stopping Night - area in flux - no stopping - large skating population (average 13 men)

Who are Strangers in this space:people who want to be isolated, or in a quiet space(it’s hard to be a stranger to union square)

Modes of interaction (how do strangers communicate):cell phone (to people outside of union square)ipod (suggest they do not want to talk)walking pace?

Union Square

Union Square In Action

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Central Park South Entrances

Central Park South Entrances

Patterns:area in flux - transportation hub - high traffic

Apple Store shoppers? Tourists. Higher income area. Corporate types.

Who are Strangers in this space:hipsters, bohemians, protestors, sketchy characters

Modes of interaction (how do strangers communicate):

walking slowly - “I am a tourist”groups talk to each other

cell phones

Central Park South in Action

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Barcade

BarcadePatterns:

in general: walk in, buy a drink, play some games, buy more beer - if seats are available, groups

move towards the booths in the back

Who are Strangers in this space:Bachelorette party Someone not in age group between 21 and 39Businessmen

Modes of interaction (how do strangers communicate):placing beer next to arcade game (thus claiming

space)leaving high score initials groups of 2 - 4 communicate with each other

exclusively

Barcade Images

Analysis/ConclusionsConsider power source for projector

Consider difference between weekday and weekend

Preliminary ideas:Barcade - arcade-style game using body as

controllerUnion Square - project onto building on the North

side of the park - something more artistic OR attract/include skaters in floor installation

Central Park South entrance - something for tourists - a way to leave a mark on the city, directions, visualize other seasons