MDA and Singapore Science Centre Board ink MOU to promote IDM

Dated: 5 December 2007

Collaboration paves way for young to crea​​te IDM content and experience IDM learning, while showcasing IDM technologies and projects to industry players 

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and the Singapore Science Centre Board (SCB) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to generate greater awareness and opportunities of interactive and digital media (IDM) amongst Singaporeans and the industry.
A significant collaboration laid out in the MOU is the set-up of two permanent educational labs at Sc​ience Centre focused on encouraging students to create IDM content. MDA will explore supporting these state-of-the-art virtual labs, which will enable students to design, test and develop prototypes with an emphasis on special effects and animation. The objective is to equip students with the necessary IDM skill sets to interest them in both the creative and research &development (R&D) side of IDM.

The two organisations will also look into the development of a factual entertainment programme based on the themes of science, technology and media in high-definition. The programme will be co-funded by MDA as part of the public service content it supports. This series will differentiate itself from other programmes by harnessing new technologies such as the Internet and mobile to educate students and the public in an interactive, engaging and fun way.

Another collaboration being explored is to tap SCB’s technical expertise in implementing a showcase of IDM-related technologies, exhibits and projects, at MDA’s new office in Fusionopolis, for an immersive IDM environment for business visitors.

Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA, said: “IDM is increasingly becoming a ubiquitous part of our lives. To catalyse the development of Singapore’s IDM industry, we recognise that this is best achieved through its people. In this digital age, Singaporeans need to be savvy users of IDM and in so doing, stimulate demand for IDM content and services. Students, in particular, will be the next generation of talents that will fuel these industries.

“Hence, through this MOU, we hope to adequately prepare our people to appreciate the potential of IDM, hone their skills and raise their media literacy skills to become sophisticated users and even creators of technology.”

“The Science Centre is pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate with MDA to bring the knowledge of science, technology and media to everyone. With interactive media claiming a global market exceeding S$100 billion, such initiatives will not only contribute to this growing trend, but also educate and inspire visitors on the fascinating world of digital art and technology," said Dr Chew Tuan Chiong, chief executive of the Singapore Science Centre (SSC).

The MOU will be inked amidst the launch of IDM exhibits from IDM festivals in Tokyo and Korea – called I-Tokyo and Creative Korea respectively, as well as an Open Call Section conducted by SSC. Interactive Tokyo (I-Tokyo) is held in Miraikan (National museum of emerging science and innovation), a science museum for children and young people in Tokyo, since 2005. DAT is the first time Interactive Tokyo will be held in an international venue. Creative Korea is an initiative by Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The ministry is responsible for affairs in the areas of culture, the arts, religion, tourism and sports. (Please refer to Annex on information on these exhibits.)

Calling for interactive media works that merge design, art, and technology, moves beyond technology traditions, and transforms social assumptions, the Open Call competition attracted 52 entries internationally and locally. Finally, four international and local winning displays were selected to be displayed at the iSpace Nexus area of the Singapore Science Centre. The installations will be on display from 5 December 2007 till 1 January 2008.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness and promote the adoption of IDM, MDA is supporting the SSC’s exhibition on DAT at SSC. This exhibition features new media and technologies displayed in an artistic format, while offering a first-hand experience on how IDM can be used for work, learning and play. It is held from 10 November 2007 to 1 January 2008 and more information can be found at http://www.scienceexhibition.com.sg or Annex.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sharon Tan (Ms)
Manager, Communications
Media Development Authority
Tel. : +65 6837 9011
Email: sharon_tan@imda.gov.sg

Koh Shu Ching
Public Relations Officer
Singapore Science Centre
Tel: 6425 2541
Email: sc_koh@science.edu.sg


About Media Development Authority of Singapore
Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and Interactive Digital Media. At the same time, in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, visit www.mda.gov.sg ​

About Singapore Science Centre
The Singapore Science Centre is a non-formal educational institution dedicated to the promotion of science and technology among students and members of the public. As a leading Science Centre in the region, the Singapore Science Centre has twelve exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 exhibits, and another 18,000 sq metres of outdoor space showcasing the exhibits of the Waterworks, Ecogarden and the Kinetic Garden. The Centre also houses the Omni-Theatre — Singapore’s only dome-shaped, 5-storey high theatre with a capacity of 276 seats. Apart from IMAX movies, the theatre also screens IMAX DMR movies. The Science Centre receives more than 950,000 visitors annually. For more information, please visit www.science.edu.sg

1. Escape Clause – An Interactive Ferromagnetic Installation

Marci MacGuffie – USA

Using Ferromagnetic Paint (iron infused latex paint), an interactive installation can be altered and changed by the audience.

With handmade magnets that look like brush marks, a pattern installed is later altered by audience interaction. The magnets rest on ferromagnetic surface and the audience is invited to move these magnets by hand.

See: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarciMacGuffie

Escape Clause, 2006 is included in the recent book “Art in Action, Nature, Creativity and our Collective Future.” Published by Palace Press in conjunction with an exhibition at The Novel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.


2. Electric Organ Discharge (EOD 4)

Frederick De Wilde - Belgium

EOD 04 is an installation by Frederick De Wilde created in collaboration with University Hasselt in Belgium and Bruno Zamborlini (IT). The project is an interactive installation founded on special species of living fish that perceive, electro-sense, their environment and communicate with each other by emitting electric signals, either in pulses or waves. The project explores the normal communication mechanisms of electric fish, including JAR (the means by which e-fish avoids attempts by other e-fish to jam its frequency) and thus investigates the communication and non-communication mechanisms between men and animal. In other words, interspeciescommunication.


3. Bear’s Beer

Tomohiro Anemiya, Taro Maeda, Hideyuki Ando - Japan

This is a bear’s beer bar. A waiter (user) in the bar wants to deliver a drink ordered by a customer (a bear target). The waiter does not know where the customer is sitting. However, his “smart tray” creates an attraction force centered on the customer and guides the waiter to the customer. Since the guide is based on force sensation, the guidance information is useful regardless of the waiter’s age or language ability. Moreover, since the guidance directions are transmitted via touch, the other senses remain available to the waiter, making it easier to move through even in the most crowded areas. Finally, the instructions remain entirely private; no one else can discover that the waiter is receiving the instructions.

In DAT, the latest version of force device with attractive application will debut (customers are bear-type robots)

This demonstration will show the non-verbal interaction made possible by the hand-held device with the force perception technologies.


4. ​​​Parting of the Red Sea

Alex Tan Wei Kian - Malaysia

The concept of this interactive art is based on motion tracking system to capture human movements, gestures and culminating into a story. This interactive installation replicated one of the Old Testament’s most monumental events – Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. The floor-based configuration has the best ability to accommodate the criteria and so a system involving a video camera and projector pointing down was devised.


5. With You

Choi Yong Soon – Singapore / NUS

These wearable Interaction Concept Designs are made for the explanation of the wearer’s feelings, emotions and personality on certain circumstances or situations as interpreted by lights and shapes. Using this mechanism, human beings can communicate with other people more truly and interestingly.


6. A Novel Interactive Charity Engine

Low Guan Hong – Singapore / Temasek Polytechnic

This installation is powered by the Interactive Charity Engine (ICE). The aim is to enthuse the public to make a token contribution to a charity organization. On sensing a contribution (e.g. 50 cents), the engine will react by adding interesting elements to the art piece. Overtime, if no contribution is received, elements in the art piece will “deteriorate”.


7. Meta-Fluids

Lu The Kiet – Singapore / NUS

Meta-Fluids is meant to make people engage with computer systems in a new and meaningful way. Generally, interacting with a computer is made through the interface using the mouse and keyboard as sources of input. Meta-Fluids takes interaction to another level and acknowledge the complexity and richness of human movement in space.

The modes created were the underwater caustic effect, smoke simulation, field density representation and the “Matrix effect” mode.


8. Physics Edutainment Game

Melvin Eng – Singapore

This unique edutainment gaming concept is specially tailored to focus on a specific physics principle. Requiring the player to apply several principles all at once will only lead to an unfocused (an messy) gaming experience. The unique characteristic of this game is that it uses physics puzzle subtly crafted into some hypothetical real-life scenario. It is up to the player to figure out what physics principle is involved and he has to apply it accordingly.