Public space is where a city breathes. It is where strangers briefly coexist, where differences overlap, where daily routines unfold in shared territory. Yet many urban environments struggle to keep people present and engaged. Screens pull attention inward. Between subtle tensions and the constant pressure of movement, many people pass through public space rather than inhabit it. The question is not only how to animate these environments, but how to return a sense of agency to those who move through them
Developed by TRANSVERSAL Studio, Parallels is an interactive light installation that brings people together through play. The work invites participants to step into a luminous environment where their movements generate sound and light compositions in real time. Instead of observing from a distance, participants become active contributors. The installation reacts instantly and intuitively, lowering the barrier to participation and encouraging spontaneous collaboration between strangers.
At its core, Parallels explores the idea that shared interaction can reconfigure how we inhabit space. Two or more participants quickly realize that their gestures influence not only their own experience, but also that of others. Light lines intersect. Rhythms overlap. The system rewards cooperation and proximity, creating moments of collective authorship. In a context where urban life can feel fragmented, the installation offers a simple proposition: play is a form of connection.
The project premiered at LUMINO, in Montréal’s Quartier des spectacles near the Saint-Laurent metro, a sector marked by both cultural vitality and visible social challenges. Installed in an area often perceived as transitional, Parallels contributed to revitalizing the site through presence and light. Its luminous architecture increased visibility and brought a sense of warmth and safety after dark. More importantly, it encouraged people to stay. Families, groups of friends, and passersby gathered, interacted, and shared the same space longer than they might otherwise have.
A distinctive feature of this presentation was its interconnection with the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises. The installation extended beyond a standalone artwork to become part of a broader immersive ecosystem. This dialogue between institutions and public space opened possibilities for transforming the urban landscape into a cohesive experiential network, where cultural venues and outdoor environments amplify one another.
Audience feedback underscores the resonance of the experience. Participants did not simply describe emotions; they described a shift in atmosphere. What began as curiosity often turned into laughter, surprise, and sustained engagement. The sensory dimension played a central role. Interactions, projections, and a carefully composed soundscape enveloped the space without overwhelming it. Many spoke of a simple pleasure: movement translated into light, and the rare freedom to play together in the open city.
Today, Parallels is ready to tour. Designed for adaptability and scalability, it can inhabit festivals, public squares, cultural districts, and institutional partnerships seeking to activate their surroundings. For cities and presenters interested in rethinking public space as a site of shared creation, Parallels offers an open invitation: step in, connect, and let light bring people together.
Contact Information
Hamie Robitaille
Co-Founder and Creative Director
