The Power of Digital Art in Transitional Spaces

By Lauren Lancaster

As populations change and the cities we live in evolve, so too must the public art we observe and endorse. In their research on smart cities, Barth et al. (2018) suggest that digital art in public spaces represents a modern phase of significant public art. This involves using advanced, interactive technologies in art installations and integrating these artworks into common digital screens and displays throughout cities. This approach is pioneering a new and exploratory period in the world of public art.

Airports, metros, and transport hubs are vital parts of our cities that have the potential to be transformed by digital art. These important city areas can be significantly enhanced with digital art. Often characterised by their lack of distinctive features, these spaces can feel uninviting and impersonal, leading many to pass through them without a second thought. As it stands, these areas are frequently cluttered with random advertisements, marred by graffiti, or left completely bare—reflecting a clear missed opportunity to make them more engaging and welcoming. By incorporating digital art into these spaces, we can revitalise them, turning daily commutes into more enjoyable and visually stimulating experiences.

Digital art has been successfully introduced in places like metro stations around the world. A good example is the work by Universal Everything, a design firm from the UK, at the Seoul Metro Art Center in Gyeongbokgung Station, South Korea.

The work, titled ‘Infinity’, features UE’s iconic colourful figures parading through blank space on large video screens around the metro station entrances. The algorithm behind 'Infinity' creates the characters live, ensuring each is one-of-a-kind and cannot be duplicated. The digital appearance, movements, and unique features of each figure mirror the lively movement of people through the metro, generating a wide array of personalities that reflect the diverse users of the station. Instead of leaving the station walls bare, the designers installed this digital artwork to match the energy of the area and the varied backgrounds of those passing through Gyeongbokgung Station.

Closer to home the Sydney Signal Box Public Art project by Art Pharmacy has combined digital art and existing public infrastructure to reimagine inconspicuous elements of everyday Aussie streetscapes: the humble signal boxes lining roads in Sydney’s Inner West, North and CBD. These utilitarian features of public space have historically offered little to inspire, let alone command our prolonged attention. Yet 56 boxes received makeovers in 2019 as diverse digital designs by local and international artists were printed on vinyl and wrapped around the boxes. Some were abstract and bold, while others were kitschy, illustrative or hyper detailed.

Many of these artworks are still in place, adding color and fun to city streets and creating unexpected moments of art for people as they go about their day. At a time when getting to galleries is harder, fewer people are visiting them, and money for art is uncertain, having digital art in places like metro stations makes enjoying art easier and more common for everyone in their daily life.