Mediated Play Space Observations, 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 (its 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

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

Barcade

Patterns: 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 39 Businessmen Modes of interaction (how do strangers communicate): placing beer next to arcade game (thus claiming space) leaving high score initials groups of communicate with each other exclusively

Barcade Images

Analysis/Conclusions Consider power source for projector Consider difference between weekday and weekend Preliminary ideas: Barcade - arcade-style game using body as controller Union 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