Playful Parasites is a modular system to augment existing playgrounds in Urban Space. It is designed for the classical “standard” playground which has been built from the 1980s till today.
The extension is motivated by different observations:
Everybody knows how to use the “interfaces” for example a swing, a seasaw or a slide. On the other hand the actual time spent with these playground props, even by kids, usually does not last very long, their functionality does not bear a lot to discover, once the sensomotoric sensation has been experienced.
Also a playground in urban space is not used by night time, and usually they are not even illuminated. The only audience which might attend a playground at night are so called gap-kids (age 10-17, too old for playgrounds but too young for anything else.).
The system is designed to occupy an existing playground and its props, and to create a new, temporary identity for this heterotopical space in the city. Another important inspiration was the possibility of a multi-user interaction with different input devices which this given set of interfaces provides.

Currently 3 modules exist. Each is designed to be attached quickly to the specific playground device and all are equipped with bluetooth radio technology to communicate with a computer at the same time.
There is a module for a swing, one for a seasaw or any rocking device and one for a slide or vertical climbing steps. Additional modules are possible.

The swing module is attached on top of the chain and reads tilting and acceleration of the swing. It fits all standard swing chains.

The spring module is designed to fit both a rocking seat or a seasaw. It is attached through strong magnets at the bottom of the device, and uses the same sensors as the swing device, acceleration and tilting.

The slide module is designed to be easily clamped on any slide or on climbing steps. Through a distance sensor a person’s position on the slide is recognized.

Video Demo

Using the Swing Module to control a one-axis animation.

Video Demo

Using the Spring Module to draw on the screen.

The temporary event can be designed according to the context, may that be spatial, social or historical, the actual playground space is situated in.

A Swinging Spark

Video Scenario

This minimal installation is a play of light. The Swing’s Movement is translated into a spot of light on the ground. Once a person swings higher the light still moves according to the swing but swings much further, and eventually even crosses the borders of the playground space and moves around on the street.
Additional interactions with the other equipped devices could be possible, for example a rocking device could control the second axis of the light spot’s movement. So together one would would control a light spot moving around on the playground and it’s surrounding environment.

The installation would be realized with the Playful Parasits and a DMX controlled light source.

Musical Playground

Video Scenario

Each augmented playground device is connected to a specific track of a song. Each device can be played like a musical instrument, and each interaction would be different. Whenever there are more than two persons playing, the sound itself develops. New sounds appear, which are not controlled by the persons, or the sounds change during the time of playing together.

Virtual Facade

This concept is specifically adapted to playgrounds in Berlin, as many of them are situated in gaps between buildings with Brandmauern, completely blank walls. This design proposes to project windows on such walls behind which shadows of people show fragments of their everyday life. Each playgorund device controls one window, and triggers other actions in the windows next to it, which cannot be controlled by the players.
The different players on the playground can create micro-narratives happening in this Trompe-l’œil facade.