TWEETX
23.05.2011
SOCIAL MEDIA VISUALISED
TWEETx is an installation that visualises tweets containing specific keywords by continuously scanning and filtering Twitter's data stream. The selected tweets are represented on large LED panels as dynamically moving bubbles, which are attracted by other bubbles carrying the same keywords. The idea is to create a shared and engaging experience that encourages people to actively debate a subject.
THE TECHNICAL SET-UP
The installation is based on a generic software platform that can search for any keyword within a tweet and combine it with any metadata (tweet-user, time code, geolocation, language etc.) and then visualize the findings on basis of a custom real time graphical engine. The concept has been developed in relation to the TEDx conference in Hamburg the 23rd of May 2011. The event took place in Curio House where 22 m2 of LED panels were installed in the ceiling of the conference space. During the conference the installation searched for #TEDxHH, #TEDx, the speakers names, and looked up the language of the tweets. As an immediate feedback to tweeting, the audience would experience a visual representation of their tweet moving above them. The tweet bubbles originated from the centre of the conference space, in bright colours indicating their language. From there they travelled across the LED layout to the projection area above the speakers. Here they grouped in relation to keywords, indicating the communication and activities within Twitter. The slowly growing groups of bubbles gave an indication of the most popular keyword over time, and was articulated by the host who, during breaks, brought up the numbers of how many tweets each group represented.
THE TEAM
TWEETx is made by Kollision in collaboration with anOtherArchitect and Martin Professional, and in dialogue with RedOnion the organizers of TEDxHamburg. AnOtherArchitect and Kollision have conceptualized the functionality and layout of the installation. Martin Professional provided the LED panels (LC-panels) and mapped the content while Kollision created the visual engine scanning Twitter.
