Media release – City of Hobart, 24 April 2023
Artists runs wild in Hobart’s digital twin
Community members are invited to let their imaginations run wild and submit their ideas for what new infrastructure they want to see in a future Hobart as part of the City of Hobart’s public art program.
‘Blocky’ is an interactive work from local artist Michael Vivarelli, featuring an artificially intelligent character named Blocky, that can be viewed from your computer.
Set in the Hobart City Council’s Digital Twin – a searchable, interactive, three-dimensional model of Greater Hobart – it encourages the public to jump inside and explore.
City of Hobart Acting Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said ‘Blocky’ was a wonderful opportunity for the community to engage with the new technologies that will support the cities of the future.
“The Digital Twin has the potential to improve planning by allowing simulation and testing of potential developments and infrastructure,” Cr Burnet said.
“While it is still developing, it will continue to progress over time with greater use by the general public.
“Inside you’ll not only find the Hobart you know but new pieces of fantastical infrastructure installed as part of the ‘Blocky’ art project such as bus blimps, a Tas Rail coaster and a new-growth forest.”
Creative City Portfolio Chair, Cr John Kelly said ‘Blocky’ was the final project in the City of Hobart’s City Pilot public art series installed throughout Hobart – or in this case its digital twin – over the past year.
“’Blocky’ shows how art can engage people of all ages and all abilities to think about their city and its future in new and creative ways,” Cr Kelly said.
Mr Vivarelli is passionate about exploring emerging technologies and he’s asking the public to help crowdsource new ideas to add as part of the project.
“I wanted to create an artwork that is focused on community engagement, which playfully provokes reflection on how we envisage the City of Hobart,” Mr Vivarelli said.
“It is created to be accessible for all ages with the freedom to encourage imagination and fun around local topics.
“Blocky’s digital twin of Hobart will be populated with wild models that represent the voices of the community. It can hopefully spark new conversations and ignite the child-like imagination in all of us.”
Over the next two months, people can submit their ideas about what they want to see in Hobart. ‘Blocky’, will then create more models based on public input.
Visitors are also encouraged to find ‘Blocky’ who is hiding somewhere in the streets and laneways of the digital Hobart.
Visit hobartcity.com.au/blocky to explore ‘Blocky’s’ digital twin and submit your infrastructure dream.
