CODE Live 1

I was very interested in many of the exhibits and mildly curious about a select few. Either way, there was something here that interested everyone and since there was no commitment to this (other than being here in the first place) I really couldnt complain. I particularly enjoyed the screaming plants, paparazzi and the projector bubble exhibition, which were as interactive as they were involved. The boombox and circuitry exhibits were interesting for a while, while the water and ice break displays were un interesting. Pretty cool, I saw most of the exhibits twice.

* A nice variety of interactive Digital Art *
This free exhibit is a mixed bag. Some of the installations are «meh.» But there are some very cool ones as well.
The two highlights for me were:
— Akousmaflore. This garden of hanging plants looks just like your regular houseplants until you read the instructions that say, «Please gently touch the plants.» When you tap a leaf, or pinch, or stroke one each plant makes different sounds. Apparently they get triggered by invisible electrical currents and the heat that human bodies give off. Very nifty! Makes you think twice about talking to your houseplants!
— Reactable. This is a really intriguing musical instrument that is built around a large touch sensitive tabletop and various blocks. For instance, you can put a drum block down and then rotate the block to change the speed of the drumming. You can then place various modifier blocks near it to create different sounds (like a sign wave that makes the beat speed up and slow down on a sine wave, etc.). There are blocks for all sorts of sounds and modifications. You can also tap on the various lines that are drawn between the blocks dynamically and stop or hold a particular instrument. Think of this as synthesizer crossed with a large multi-​touch tabletop interface. A very cool idea and very fun to play with.
Definitely worth the price of admission (free)!

This is the first of the 3 venues for CODE (Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition.) One word. AWESOME!!!
Located on the campus on Great Northern Way, this is an interactive art exhibition where it’s all about coolness. I felt cool just to be inside the building. Artists from all over the world have a mini exhibit of their work here. This large indoor space is perfect for something like this.
I am not going to spoil everything for anyone, but my favourite exhibition was the one by Sergi Jordà, Martin Kaltenbrunner, Günter Geiger and Marcos Alonso from Austria and Spain, with the exhibit Reactable.
There was an illuminated round tabletop, in which several people can play at the same time. It’s essentially an electronic musical instrument. Then there are these block like object, and you can move and rotate them on the tabletop, and with each movement, a different beat/​sounds is made. Different pieces can also connect on the tabletop, and then another sound is produced. I was amazed at this.
Other highlights include a super large sphere made from over 4000 industrial lights, ‘stalking’ robots, a giant robotic spider, plants that make sounds as you touch them, real time telepresence with people in Montréal… there is just to much goodness to reveal…
On the weekends at night, there are also live performances which also take place at the venue. This features some of the hottest people in electronic entertainment.
Admission is free, so come by and check it out!