Filed under: Multimedia
Project Blinkenlights presents "Stereoscope," and you're invited
A massive spectacle is brewing in Canada. From the 4th of October through the 12th, the two towers of Toronto's city hall will become grandiose pixel displays with the help of Project Blinkenlights. Dubbed "Stereoscope," the installation will use wirelessly-controlled lights placed behind the windows of the building to generate the pixel art. This project adds to the growing list of large-scale interactive light installations executed by Project Blinkenlights... it also happens to be as Mac-friendly as they come, thanks to some help from our friends at The Coding Monkeys.
When we talked to Martin and Dominik at WWDC, they hinted at their involvement in this project. They stayed pretty tight-lipped about it, stating only that it would be "big." Now they've unveiled a simulator for Leopard and a mobile version for the iPhone [iTunes link] which allow users around the world to watch in realtime as the exhibition unfolds. Beyond that, they had a hand in creating some of the tools which allow users from all over the globe to generate and contribute their own animations for the event.
I've been playing with both the desktop and iPhone simulators, and I'm duly impressed. The iPhone version -- with smooth, touch-based navigation and amazing 3D rendering -- is definitely not to be missed (especially since it's free). This event would be big enough if it stayed in Toronto, but Project Blinkenlights and The Coding Monkeys have made it possible for users around the world to take part in the spectacle. Check out the gallery for more shots of the iPhone version of the simulator in action.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kev orng said 8:16AM on 10-03-2008
I'll do my best to nip into TO this weekend and write up a review or something.
btw, I like the new TUAW layout for iPhone.
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geekmorgan said 8:38AM on 10-03-2008
hmmm. I like the new iPhone version of the site better than the old one, but PLEASE don't force me to use it! I still prefer the option to look at the full site on my phone.
Michael Rose said 8:32AM on 10-03-2008
geekmorgan, we know that the 'full experience' link isn't working -- fix in progress...
John from Buffalio said 12:19PM on 10-03-2008
Fucking sweet. I wonder if you can do the "matrix" screen saver with that ...
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Lcs said 12:53PM on 10-03-2008
Topleftpixel has a nice pic of this too: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/08/10/03/
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Tim said 4:03PM on 10-03-2008
I was in Toronto this last week on a conference. My hotel window's view was of city hall. I was trying to figure out what was going on. It was creepy opening the blinds to have a giant face looking back but was cool watching a mock game of Pong. I left last night, so disappointed I am going to miss the festivities.
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Fritz Laurel said 7:39PM on 10-03-2008
I don't understand. It says you can "watch in real time" but the link leads to a simulator? WTF?
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Daniel said 11:03PM on 10-03-2008
Sweet! I'm going to see this at Nuit Blanche tomorrow night; it should be great.
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Eythan said 2:03PM on 10-04-2008
I live directly behind this building and unless they are planning something bigger they started this like a week ago. Friends and i go watch it all the time late at night. Its pretty cool! They played snake on it the other night haha
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Somethingsomething said 3:05PM on 10-04-2008
The os x simulator is really nice, I'm kinda disappointed, because I can't see the real thing.
Oh and that's one clever rickroll they have going on in there.
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