Denver Digerati was established in 2013, under my creative direction within the Denver Theatre District, as an initiative dedicated to positioning digital animation and motion-based art as a viable new form of public art. The project developed through direct access to an evolving infrastructure of LED displays located in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado. Each screen operates with its own parameters for cycling content, and much of the early years were dedicated to experimenting with the most effective ways to integrate motion-artwork into the advertising cycles the screens were dedicated to. Friday Flash, as well as Supernova Digital Animation Festival, pushed the envelope much further, subverting the traditional cycle with programs that back-end long-form content onto the screens, with sound, for public events taking place during summer months. As the initiative grew, it started to become clear that Denver was the only city in which such extensive experiments and infiltrations were occurring in any meaningful capacity. The launch in 2018 of a dynamic new screen at the corner of 16th and Arapahoe Street, one of the most prominent locations in the downtown core, offered the opportunity to fully establish the efforts to showcase digital animation as public art on a continuous basis, branded as the Digital Daily. Animations are generally restricted to 30 seconds in length, a duration far exceeding previous representations and long enough to deliver a more robust understanding of an artist’s work. The daily animations are also given a generous frequency, with four different animations generally cycling throughout each day. The effort leverages Supernova Digital Animation Festival as an opportunity to develop content designed specifically for the unique parameters of this screen through initiatives such as the Silent Screen program.
The video documents here have been generated to showcase the numerous animations exhibited in this capacity that show how digital animation can be realized as public art through appropriate LED screen based protocols. I have given numerous lectures on the subject in venues around the United States since 2018, reflecting the fuller history of Denver Digerati as the driving force behind the concept.
Understanding Supernova through Denver Digerati's deep history, unique access protocols and emphasis on the use of Public LED displays as a new and dynamic vehicle for public art. Presented by Denver Digerati founder and creative director Ivar Zeile, the first in a series of insightful videos that delve deeper into a fascinating, global curatorial initiative.
To date, Denver Digerati has implemented a total of ninety-eight unique 30-second animations for daily display on the public LED located at 16th and Arapahoe Street in Denver, Colorado, the premier screen in the downtown core. The evolution and opportunity for our work with the display is the leading initiative in promoting digital animation as an exciting and viable form of public art. The split screen offers a unique parameter for artists to craft works, or for our organization to adapt select animations for this public showcase. Generally up to six animations are in the daily rotation at any time, with each appearing numerous times as part of the regular advertising cycle.
Denver Digerati posted a call for proposals in January of 2021 to our network of animators to create new works for the screen, in celebration of our 100th clip to be on display. The response from the community was strong, leading to 12 proposals accepted, with six being placed on the screen during the month of March, and the remaining six to follow in April. The initiative is one of the most unique attributes of Denver Digerati's efforts, providing a consistent outlet for digital motion art to be delivered to the public by artists and animators around the world with different voices and visions for their work.
An overview of Silent Screen, the prestigious anchor program for World On Fire's premiere outdoor art viewing opportunity as part of Supernova Digital Animation Festival 2020. Denver Digerati employs Denver’s unique LED screen infrastructure towards a rare art viewing opportunity for the public. The annual Supernova Digital Animation Festival programs are featured on multiple screens, located within a 6-block radius in the heart of the Denver Theatre District, providing a magnificent display of animation for the community. On Saturday, September 19th, five of Denver’s LED screens will be activated from noon through 8pm with digital animations looping throughout the day. These works will be presented without sound as Supernova's Silent Screen Initiative. Over 20 artists from around the world submitted proposals for the opportunity to create animations unique for this format. Silent Screen enhances the attributes of the program and presents a now rare opportunity for the public to safely and responsibly view exceptional art outside of their homes. Denver Digerati provides the ultimate walking tour that reflects how digital animation and motion-art can be integrated with LED display technology in a purposeful, invigorating manner. Start at any of the screens and watch the works unfold, each screen features a wide assortment of animations of varying lengths. This video has a reference to all five of the screens and samples of the animations that will be on display. For more information visit: https://denverdigerati.org/
First in a series of 30-second animations running in a continuous cycle throughout the day and night (along with limited advertising) on a focal LED display in downtown Denver, Colorado. This cycle began in November 2018, consisting of works prepared specifically for the screen as part of Supernova Digital Animation Festival, our annual showcase of digital animation produced and curated by Denver Digerati. Denver Digerati has populated this screen with over forty 30-second artworks/promotions throughout 2018, making it the first screen in the world to support a continuous, year-round cycle of digital animation . Denver Digerati is the future of public art.
denverdigerati.org
Second in a series of 30-second animations running in a continuous cycle throughout the day and night (along with limited advertising) on a focal LED display in downtown Denver, Colorado. This cycle began in January 2019, consisting of works prepared specifically for the screen as part of Supernova Digital Animation Festival, our annual showcase of digital animation produced and curated by Denver Digerati. Denver Digerati has populated this screen with over forty 30-second artworks/promotions throughout 2018 and 2019, making it the first screen in the world to support a continuous, year-round cycle of digital animation . Denver Digerati is the future of public art. denverdigerati.org
Third in a series of 30-second animations running in a continuous cycle throughout the day and night (along with limited advertising) on a focal LED display in downtown Denver, Colorado. This cycle began in March 2019, consisting of works prepared specifically for the screen as part of Supernova Digital Animation Festival, our annual showcase of digital animation produced and curated by Denver Digerati. Denver Digerati has populated this screen with over forty 30-second artworks/promotions throughout 2018 and 2019, making it the first screen in the world to support a continuous, year-round cycle of digital animation . Denver Digerati is the future of public art. denverdigerati.org
Somewhat of a sneak peak of what's in store in the first ever SUPERNOVA Digital Animation Festival Invitational Competition on Saturday September 22nd from Noon - 8:00pm.. YOUR VOTE COUNTS and will help determine the $1,000 prize for one of 32 works composed for this kick-ass public LED Screen in downtown Denver. Pick up a ballot that day at the site and vote for Denver Digerati!