Every July a spectacular late-evening firework display climaxes Venice’s Feast of the Redentore. The fireworks are launched from rafts in a wide stretch of water. Spectators line the banks or watch from boats.
Redento aims to entertain spectators in the awkward period before the fireworks, when the crowds inevitably get restless and impatient. It floats hundred of glass demijohns in the “security zone” of water surrounding the firework rafts.
Shortly before midnight it invites spectators, through their mobile phones, to shake these phones. As they do so, lights in some demijohns start glowing on the water. Further mass shaking, if sufficiently energetic, illuminates all the demijohns – and, after an anticipatory pause, triggers the firework display.
My role: I had the responsibility for an accurate and detailed photographic reportage. I realized also the some graphics for the presentation, some vectorial scheme and with my group I realized the prototype of the project.
The main thing that I realized was the Web App, that is written in HTML and CSS with the aid of some server and website that allow the app to work on a phone and detect the shake event.
Venice, Bacino San Marco during the Redentore.
.Where
In the lagoon, circle of demijohn around the platform of the fireworks.
.What
Set of demijohn each one with lights and Wi-Fi System.
.How
Behaviour of the lights depends on the people
.Web App
Simple interface with simple gesture
At 11.30 the app unlocks: smartphones receive a notification that allows people to participate in the show with a shake or tap gesture.
Shake more as you can until the demijhon reach the starting point of the fireworks and the show begins!
.Prototype
Building a theatre that can recreate the Redentore Night.
.Making the prototype
Interaction Design Lab II at Iuav, University of Venice.
Professors: Gillian Crampton Smith, Philip Tabor.
Team: Maria D'Uonno, Stella Morelli, Tommaso Tronchin
May 2013
