The gorge between us.
An interactive installation that helps people in a ‘non-place’ to transform it into a meaningful space for social interaction.
A semester project by Nadja Jung
6th semester, 2025
Supervisors: Romina Marsico, Andreas Schindler, Max Studanski, Prof. Tsune Tanaka
The project ‘The Gorge Between Us’ offers people the opportunity to experience public spaces in a new way through an interactive installation. It transforms a non-place – previously perceived as a purely functional space – into a vibrant meeting place. In doing so, it creates a collective experience in which participants become actively involved and, through their actions, work together to overcome a challenge.
It is a temporary pop-up installation in a non-place. It consists of a projection with accompanying sound that recognises people and their hand movements and reacts to them.
Through my project, I propose an approach to answering the question of how an interactive media system can help people in public spaces to forge social bonds. To this end, I enhance the space through design so that it is not merely used for functional purposes, but also invites people to linger and socialise. This is how a place gains significance.
My target group is limited to city residents who are aware of the neglect of their city, recognise ‘non-places’ as such, and are therefore interested in helping to shape a specific location within their city. When they find themselves in a ‘non-place’, they are willing and able to consciously set aside time for this.
You might be wondering:
Why this? Why a gorge?
My installation is an exploration of the hero’s journey. The participants experience themselves as part of the solution. They are part of the story themselves.
I use the element of surprise to create a sudden, unexpected change in their familiar surroundings. This initially causes a brief sense of disorientation, followed by heightened attention and presence. Surprise is the means here to draw people out of passivity.
I create a shared goal that is visible to the participants. They face the same challenge, and this creates a group dynamic.
The bouncing bridge sections are a gentle nudge designed to catch the user’s attention and encourage them to get involved. No matter which way the user turns, the bridge section always bounces into their field of vision, heading towards the gorge.
A strong narrative provides context and meaning for one’s own actions. People are more likely to take action when they can visually and emotionally grasp the significance. I deliberately work with clear, familiar imagery: gorge = division, bridge = connection. These symbols appeal to emotions and experiences. In this way, I make visible the invisible distance that separates people in a ‘non-place’, and show the connection they can create through their interaction to overcome this distance.
