On September 3rd, the Revive Project hosted its second online capacity-building seminar, titled "Cultural Heritage Revitalization through Video Mapping and Audience Engagement". With over 50 participants from partner and non-partner countries, the seminar provided valuable insights into how video mapping and animation can enhance community engagement, especially in the context of cultural heritage.

 

Focus on Community Engagement

 

The seminar's central theme was engagement—particularly, how to involve communities in shaping their understanding of shared history and influencing the future. Participants explored the idea that effective engagement empowers individuals to contribute to the modern public sphere and make decisions that impact their personal lives. The event sought to answer how video mapping and animation can engage stakeholders in various social and cultural settings.

 

Turku Experiment: Creative Placemaking Through Video Mapping

 

The seminar began with a presentation by Antti Alanko, Art Director of the Turku Experiment. He introduced the concept of "creative placemaking," a broader term that describes the Turku Experiment’s efforts to showcase both the historical significance and future potential of a location. Creative placemaking can be implemented in various forms, including street art, augmented reality, lighting installations, and video mapping—Turku’s chosen medium.

 

Antti provided an in-depth look at the Varvintori area’s history and the reasoning behind using digital technology to revitalize this historic site. The presentation also outlined the experiment's goals, emphasizing how video mapping serves as a bridge between the past and future, making history accessible to the public in innovative ways.

 

Video Mapping: Storytelling, Engagement, and Animation

 

The second speaker, Elli Vourinen, a Senior Lecturer at Turku University of Applied Sciences, focused on video mapping’s storytelling potential and its power to engage audiences. Vourinen highlighted the evolution of animation techniques, drawing comparisons between early animation and modern projection mapping’s ability to "trick the eye."

 

Vourinen explained that video mapping offers a unique canvas for storytelling, creating immersive and visually stunning experiences. Participants learned how site-specific storytelling deepens audience engagement by fostering a sense of presence and appreciation for the place in question. This approach creates personalized, participatory experiences that resonate more deeply with viewers.

 

She provided guidance on developing effective storytelling through video mapping, outlining essential steps such as:

 

1. Conducting thorough research.

2. Respecting the site’s essence.

3. Identifying the space’s current users.

4. Defining a target audience.

5. Testing the technical specifications of the chosen medium.

6. Offering clear, consistent cues to guide the audience throughout the story.

 

The session also covered the importance of movement and rhythm in animation, with Vourinen showcasing several exemplary projects. She emphasized that successful animation should enhance the architecture it is projected on, rather than erasing or overwhelming it. Vourinen concluded with advice for young talents participating in the upcoming Turku experiment and engaged participants with two fun activities that brought the seminar to life.

 

The session ended with a lively Q&A, sparking an interesting conversation about the longevity of the Turku experiment and whether it should be a one-time event or evolve into something more.

 

Stakeholder Engagement in Museums and Cultural Settings

 

The final presentation was by Mikka Väyrynen, Head of Audience Engagement at Turku City Museum. Väyrynen provided an insightful look at how the museum engages various audience groups—children, young adults, and senior citizens—through innovative and inclusive activities.

 

He shared creative examples like fairy tales, electronic music parties, and workshops that cater to different age groups and backgrounds. Väyrynen emphasized the importance of creating an environment of empathy and understanding, highlighting the need to engage audiences regardless of nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, race, or other social factors. This part of the seminar spurred thoughtful discussion among participants and led to new ideas for future collaborations.

 

Looking Forward: Next Steps in the Revive Project

 

The seminar wrapped up with a request for participants to provide feedback via a survey, along with a preview of the next two experiments, scheduled for 2025 in Italy and Romania. 

 

Overall, the seminar was a dynamic, engaging, and inspiring event that will undoubtedly prove valuable as preparations for the upcoming Turku experiment continue.