Technology & Art - Where collaboration is key

The five senses, our gateway to meaningful experiences rich in emotions and unforgettable moments. Throughout history artists have looked for new ways to appeal to the senses, and in today’s world, technology comes very much into play when artists look to resonate with their public. More than ever - part of art and its various creative processes - technology allows a variety of skills to come together and to generate original works that appeal to a wider audience through constantly renewed and renewable experiences.

To this end, Init puts together teams of scenographers, designers, engineers, architects, technicians and digital specialists. By partnering with the very best talent, Init seamlessly blends innovation and expertise to allow artists and artisans from a variety of disciplines to realize their visions and optimize each project, from concept to reality, creating uniquely stimulating interactive installations.

Creations produced by Init - Optik and LAPS
Brand-new interactive installation Optik, created by The Urban Conga, and LAPS, by Olivier Landreville, used technology to streamline the process at each stage of production. During the design phase, drawing and engineering softwares were necessary to increase precision and visualization of the multiple required pieces ranging from the smallest screw to the most amazing wheel. It directly led to an increase of efficiency during trial stages and a better control over quality.

Technology also supports the experience and design. Technology is a means to generate an intuitive, inclusive and timeless experience. The idea of technology sometimes seems like it needs to be futuristic or groundbreaking. From our perspective, it needs to be seamless at a point that you might not even feel it. It is integrated to the general experience where users are very much in control of what they do.
To bring these two projects to life, Init called upon the magic touch of Serge Maheu, a celebrated designer of interactive experiences and a guru of interactive control systems. We also teamed up with Maintenance Industries Meca-Fab inc. for everything related to structure and engineering. Adding this dynamic pair to our projects allows peace of mind while evolving each project to its full potential.

Adaptation - the case of Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0
These same partners proved essential for the adaptation of the installation Mi Casa, Your Casa, by Esrawe + Cadena. From a classic piece originally commissioned by the High Museum in Atlanta, we pushed the idea of illuminating each Casa so we can feel right at home wherever it goes. This new version of the installation, Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0, hit the road with Creos as touring partner and has animated nearly 20 public spaces throughout North America.

Permanent AND touring: possible? You bet!
Rob Jensen + Warren Trezevant's Sonic Runway installation was originally featured as part of Burning Man and then adapted for the road. This sound and light masterpiece visited many cities in America and Europe and still impresses by its concept of watching sound. Based on its success with the San Jose community, they develop the Sonic Runway for permanent display - be on the lookout if you attend CODASummit this fall.

These concrete examples demonstrate that collaboration is the key to putting technology and innovation at art’s service. Init is driven by a perpetual sense of wonder, innovation and industry best practices where collaboration guarantees success, audacity and endless possibilities!

Now, it is your turn to tell us more about your next big idea. We want to hear all about it!

Photo Credits (Left to right, clockwise):

The Optik Team (from left to the right): Maude Pelletier (Init), Ryan Swanson (The Urban Conga), Serge Maheu, Régis Proulx (Init) and Virginie Simon (Init) at the Init workshops during Optik’s creation.

Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 in South Lake Union, Seattle. A creation by Esrawe + Cadena in collaboration with Serge Maheu.

Sonic Runway by Rob Jensen + Warren Trezevant in Montreal as part of Luminothérapie