About Magic Place

Magic Place is a digital fun house where you can change the entire scene at the flick of a hand.

With a cheerful, abstract style inspired by early computer graphics and colours based on an 8-bit palette, commonly seen in the technology of the 1980s & 90s. Magic Place includes multiple references to early home computers (BBC Micro & ZX Spectrum), BASIC programming, video games, electronic music and the world wide web. The piece is filled with sprites and icons and uses a simple emoji interface to switch between the levels. The audience is represented as colourful silhouettes - intuitive and easy to interact with. Move and your silhouette transforms with you. It’s a celebration of the digital magic that shaped a generation and continues to inspire us today.

As you interact, you'll trigger a rich soundscape of beats, beeps, and musical snippets, building rhythms and patterns. Older visitors will recognise images and sounds from an earlier era. Kids will simply want to have fun!

PLAY

There is more than one way to enjoy interactive art. Explore, experiment and play. How do your actions change what is happening on the screen? Stand on one leg, move slowly, dance around, push things, play games with other visitors...

CREATE

Let your imagination run free. What micro-stories can you create? What transformations can you trigger? What adventures are the on-screen characters having? Enter their world. What magic happens next?

LISTEN

Magic Place has dozens of levels and scenes, each with its own unique sound loop. Touching emojis trigger intriguing electronic and synthesised noises. The sounds shift as multiple scenes play together. Use your body to shape the soundscape.

WATCH

Stand back and take it all in. Watch as others in the space play out their own games and create their own stories. Perhaps you could ask to join in with their adventure or simply watch as they immerse themselves in the artwork.

Every visit is a unique experience because every audience is different. Repeat visits, even daily, are not uncommon.

“I have seen families spend hours playing with the fabulous Genetic Moo installations. Accessible fun for the whole family.”

— Kate Kneale, Director at Houghton Kneale Design Ltd and GEEK festival (2010-2019)