manfred h. vogel ting: technology and democracy

manfred h. vogel
ting: technology and democracy
ting: technology and democracy
norsk teknisk museum
oslo, norway
general planning & exhibition design:
On the occasion of the Norwegian Museum of
Technology‘s 100th anniversary the
participatory exhibition TING invites
visitors to explore the complex
relationships between technology and
democracy. A basic wooden cube, analogous
to the digital pixel, becomes a haptic
tool for visitors to trigger digital
interactions within the exhibition and the
Ting.
Ralph Appelbaum Associates Berlin
concept:
Ralph Appelbaum Associates Berlin
Norsk Teknisk Museum
TAMSCHICK MEDIA+SPACE GmbH
content:
A television transmitter, a military
rifle, an industrial robot, and an early
computer showcase the historical,
cultural, and political uses of
technology. It quickly becomes clear that
evaluating technology is complex and that
there is not just one meaning or truth.
The Ting, which in its ancient form was a
circular space, usually with a table at
its center where governing assemblies
would put things up for discussion, has
been transformed and reinvented.
Norsk Teknisk Museum
media design, interaction programming
and production:
TAMSCHICK MEDIA+SPACE GmbH
sound-design, composition:
BLUWI Music and Sounddesign GbR
exhibition production:
Norsk Teknisk Museum
Surrounding the Ting table, a 25-meterwide, 5-meter-high shelf displays 100
objects and at the same time functions as
a 180° projection surface. Visitors
explore the shelf with the interactive
tablets or by placing the wooden cubes on
the table, simultaneously bringing the
objects to life and immersing themselves
in the spirit and history of these
technologies.
The Ting becomes a discursive social space
where dramatic object displays and
immersive and interactive media work hand
in hand to facilitate a participatory
experience in which the visitor is at the
center.
Eight controversial objects are put up for
discussion and voting at the Ting. Each
one of these revolutionary technologies is
introduced with a short film narratively
illustrating the object’s past, current,
and possible future impacts on democracy
and society.
A moderator starts the Ting session. Five
questions are discussed and voted upon for
each piece of technology. Visitors use
their wooden cubes or the tablets to place
their vote. The voting results are
translated into real-time-generated
graphics, and the moderator facilitates
the group in discussing the outcome. At
the end of each Ting session, the final
results of all five questions are
displayed and discussed.
Past results of previous sessions appear
as a cumulatively growing landscape that
dynamically changes over the duration of
the exhibition. Visitors can express their
thoughts and opinions one last time by
either scanning the bar code with their
smart phone or using the tablets. Their
comments immediately appear on the shelf,
adding up over time and generating a
multifaceted, democratic voice.
Visitors cast a final vote on th
concluding question: ”Is it possible to
control technological development in a
democracy?” As they leave their cubes
behind, the cumulative result evolves over
the many cycles of the Ting.
The exhibition was designed and produced
in collaboration with the Norwegian Museum
of Science and Technology & Tamschick
Media + Space GmbH.
ting: technology and democracy
is part of my professional portfolio
thank you (in alphabetical order)
Norsk Teknisk Museum / www.tekniskmuseum.no
Ralph Appelbaum Associates Berlin / www.raaeu.com
TAMSCHICK MEDIA+SPACE / www.tamschick.com
all photos made in oslo, norway
© 2014 - 2015 by manfred h. vogel
for the great inspiration and work.
mhvogel.net
architecture · editorial · scenography
manfred h. vogel
photographer
berlin based, assigned
internationally.
20years+ professional
experience.
interested in conntexts,
surfaces and structures.
curious about the odd.
focus on temporary and
permanent architecture,
theatre, scenography,
exhibitions and on
editorials linked to
these themes.
still and moving images.
contact:
t: +49 152 265 77 810
i: www.mhvogel.net
e: mv@mhvogel.net