ZOOM was an interactive consultation and exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia, as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition. The project asked its over 500,000 visitors to think about the question "how might we design our future city?"
Problems and Purpose
ZOOM was an interactive consultation and art installation at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia. The project ran from November 2013 to March 2014, during which time over 500,000 people visited the exhibition Melbourne Now, of which ZOOM was a part.
"This project asks how liveability might continue considering emergent pressures around population, water, energy, transport, health and urban sprawl. ZOOM comprises a data field – a window into the ‘systems of systems’ that comprise the modern city – presented as an evolving graphic visualization" [1]
ZOOM comprised a wall of 100 unique postcards numbering 150,000 that visitors could take home with them. Each postcard focused on a different issue relating to the future of Melbourne, and people were encouraged to "adopt an idea" [2] by taking home the postcard that most represented their views.
Alongside the art installation was a digital survey designed to capture views from the Melbourne community. Survey results were fed into the installation itself and ultimately resulted in over 300 pages of community insights.[3]
Background History and Context
ZOOM featured at the Gallery as part of the Melbourne Now exhibition, which created a map of Melbourne through art, design, architecture, planning, visual and audio data. The exhibition of 250 different works created a social landscape of the city through presenting data in imaginative and creative ways.[4]
"Melbourne Now is designed to promote engagement with contemporary art in new and dynamic ways by harnessing the creative energies of Melbourne’s wider community" [5]
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The project was a collaboration of a range of artists and organisations including:
- Greg More, an expert in data visualisation
- Ewan McEoin, a specialist in designing platforms for communication and collaboration
- Design Office, a design service
- Policy Booth, an engagement enterprise
- Matthew Angel, graphic designer
- Marco Cher-Gibard, sound designer
- EDG research, spatial data research company
ZOOM was also supported by the Hugh DT Williamson Foundation.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
ZOOM was a part of the Melbourne Now exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Entrance to the Gallery is free although it is not clear if there is a charge for certain exhibitions.
The exhibition was open to all, although Melbourne Now probably appealed to and attracted primarily Melburnians given its focus. Over 500,000 people visited the exhibition between November 2013 and March 2014, with more than 9000 people completing the digital survey that accompanied ZOOM.
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
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Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Results from the digital survey were collected and shared, but at the time of writing (July 2016), it was not possible to find the survey results or data.
The data we gathered was illuminating. We’ve shared the data with The Age and other media, we’ve submitted it to policy makers, and we’ve also re-exhibited it for planners and developers. We’ve tried to help Melbournians express their vision for the future of the city" [2]
ZOOM is an iterative project, with design research specialists, The Field Institute, going on to curate ZOOM #2: "how do you influence our future city" and ZOOM #3: "how might we feed our future city?"
Analysis and Lessons Learned
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See Also
References
[1] National Gallery of Victoria [NGV] (2013) ZOOM [online], available at: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbournenow/projects/025.html
UPDATE: similar content is available at http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-now-countdown-day-65/
[2] Field Institute (date not known) ZOOM #1 -"how might we design our future city?" [blog], available at: http://fieldinstitute.co/blog/project-01/ [dead link]
[3] The Difference Incubator [TDI] (2016) Policy Booth [online], available at: http://www.tdi.org.au/case_study/policy-booth/ [dead link]
[4] Sydney Morning Herald (2013) Mapping the soul of the city [online], 7 November, available at: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/mapping-the-soul-of-t...
[5] National Gallery of Victoria [NGV] (2013) About Melbourne Now [online], available at: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbournenow/about-melbourne-now.html
UPDATE: similar content is available at http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/blog_category/melbourne-now/