Enchanted Forest: Interactive Installation

Lakeside Arts 2023

 

In summer 2023, we transformed the Djanogly Gallery at Lakeside Arts into a digitally reimagined woodland with Enchanted Forest — a fully immersive and interactive installation designed to engage visitors of all ages.

Commissioned as part of Lakeside’s summer programme, the experience invited audiences to step into a forest glade alive with light, motion, and digital creatures. Over a continuous 24-minute loop, the installation simulated a full day-night cycle — from golden sunrise to starlit night — with different animals and elements emerging to play, rest, or observe, depending on the time of day.

Visitors became part of the story. As they moved through the space, the forest responded — creatures reacted to their presence, shadows shifted, and the environment subtly changed, creating a sense of wonder and playful exploration.

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Technical Highlights:

• Notch Live powered the real-time generative visuals, bringing the forest and its inhabitants to life with rich textures and fluid motion.

• Pixera was used for media playback and control — our first time integrating it into an interactive environment — offering seamless syncing and spatial mapping across the gallery.

• Interaction was enabled via a standard video camera, enhanced with NVIDIA AI background removal, allowing real-time silhouette extraction without the need for a green screen.

• An overhead Kinect 2 sensor captured audience movement and position, creating responsive zones for interaction and spatial awareness.

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The result was an elegant fusion of real-time technology and digital storytelling — both meditative and magical. The project attracted over 15,000 visitors throughout the summer and became a standout moment for families and digital art lovers alike.

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DJANOGLY GALLERY - LAKESIDE ARTS