SCREAM: Media Screens as a Medium for Communication

Currently there is very little information in the public domain in the UK relating to the set-up of big screens. Most local authorities do not have specific policies for the implementation and set up of big digital urban screens but rely instead on policies in relation to billboards and large-scale advertising, or sometimes on employing an external consultant to advise on issues related to the implementation of the screens.

The SCREAM work targets the planning system, where all the high aspirations of a sustainable implementation of media screens and the effective integration into existing urban structures can fail if appropriate control mechanisms and developments strategies are not found and satisfactorily executed.

The objectives of the SCREAM project were as follows:

• bring together people across all the sectors involved in the potential implementation of innovative content and the creative use of media facades and urban screens in the UK
• create a knowledge exchange and debate environment through workshops conducive to shared positive outputs
• develop a framework on how to deal with the issues of media screens as part of the planning process
• work out how the screens could be effectively integrated into existing urban structures
• enable a better understanding of the environmental impact of the displays
• highlight the risk of visual and noise pollution in the urban space
• build a common ground of understanding about the potentials of artistic and creative participation in the content development

This was achieved through the SCREAM workshops: a series of workshops were held to bring together the key stakeholders in delivering sustainable implementation of the urban screens. These workshops enabled a group debate and knowledge exchange among those who play an active role in the development of urban screens and media facades in the UK.

The following organisations were represented at these events:

• ACE (Arts Council of England),
• Addictive TV, Art2Architecture,
• BBC Public Space Broadcasting,
• body>data>space,
• CABE Space (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment),
• FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology),
• Live Site & LOCOG (London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games &
• Paralympic Games),
• ResCen Middlesex University,Smartslab,
• Tank TV,
• UCL Bartlett,(University College London), University of Salford,
• UrbanBuzz Programme Office.

The events were facilitated by body>data>space/ ResCen, Middlesex University.

For further information please contact Ava Fatah.