Sing! Karaoke Kiosk

Designed in response to an observation by a Business Improvement Association director that attendance at neighbourhood events was often self-segregated by language, Sing! Karaoke Kiosk celebrated and shared the multi-lingual culture of Vancouver. The three-week installation occurred for two summers offering songs in languages native to many Vancouverites including English, Mandarin, French, Hindi, Spanish, Cantonese, Japanese, and Filipino. The project was designed to bridge the divide between ethnic/language groups by using karaoke as a cross-cultural activity. The song list was accessible by computer, phone and the kiosk via touchscreen.  We designed and built the Kiosk the Kiosk to be a marker in public space and as a backdrop that made the performer the centre of the event. It also provided weather protection. The Kiosk and carpet together inexpensively transformed the street to define the performance space. We also worked with a programmer to design the touchscreen interface which was held in the kiosk along with all the equipment required for its operation.

Sing! used an activity that is popular in across cultures as a way to bring people together in a fun and shared experience. Hosted by a local musician once the singing began, the interaction between performer and audience carried the event.