Columbia University, School of the Arts, Digital Storytelling Lab
We build on a diverse range of creative and research practices originating in fields from the arts, humanities and technology. But we never lose sight of the power of a good story. Technology, as a creative partner, has always shaped the ways in which stories are found and told. In the 21st Century, for example, the mass democratization of creative tools — code, data and algorithms — have changed the relationship between creator and audience. The Columbia DSL, therefore, is a place of speculation, of creativity, and of collaboration between students and faculty from across the University. New stories are told here in new and unexpected ways.
digital ladders
Digital Ladders is an initiative of the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, developed to improve the digital literacy of British Columbia’s arts, culture and heritage sector. Digital Ladders aims to meet arts, culture and heritage organizations at their respective levels of understanding, and work together to integrate digital tools into their unique visions.
YOU ARE HERE
Witness the tenderness between a couple who have survived war and life together for 72 years of marriage in their home in Kiev. Experience the sounds and smells of a bustling market in Kigali and the dusty air that fills your lungs on a moto ride through the rolling hills of Rwanda. You Are Here is a traveling exhibit that explores the diversity of Jewish communities across the globe through immersive storytelling. Built in partnership with JDC Entwine, this 4 installation pop-up museum toured DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and NYC from December 5-18,2017, hosting 450+ visitors in 4 nights. This series features interactive stories of love, loss, and resiliency.
Empathy lab
The Empathy Lab is a joint effort between the Columbia University of the Arts' Digital Storytelling Lab, Refinery29 and an amazing group of change-makers. Together, we're working to accelerate empathy in 2017.
Lyka’s adventure
Lyka's Adventure is a multi-platform experience featuring Lyka, a curious, lovable, scrappy, odds-defying robot scientist. Her home planet, Ahmee, is dying, and there’s only one robot with a heart big enough to rescue it. Lyka, friend to all living creatures, sets off across the galaxy on a quest to find the answers that will save her home. Leaving behind everything she knows in a high-octane race against time, she must explore all seven continents to find hidden symbols and unlock the knowledge they represent. Will she make it before Ahmee collapses and Lyka’s fellow robots are lost in space forever?
NYC Big apps challenge
NYC BigApps is the premier civic innovation competition in New York City that challenges designers, developers, academics, entrepreneurs, and New Yorkers at large to apply their know-how to improve New York City. Since the launch of the competition in January 2017, over 500 people have participated in exploring how data and technology can improve the quality of life for New York City youth, seniors, and immigrants across three challenge categories: Transportation, Knowledge, and Community Resiliency.
“FOR FOOLS AND TRAITORS, NOTHING” VR
Idealism and corruption battle it out against a backdrop of natural beauty and unnatural acts, in this enigmatic true story of BC's cult leader, Edward Arthur Wilson, a.k.a. Brother XII. In this moody VR experience, participants join his solemn devotees to witness a sermon at a commune near Nanaimo, BC, circa 1928. By listening in on their thoughts and memories, you’ll get conflicting information about what really happened at this ill-fated community. Faced with the choice to join or leave, you must decide: who controls your reality?