Open Frameworks is a technology that we here at Cogapp are very keen on - Joe, for example, implemented it to develop our people pong game. It's an “open source C++ toolkit for creative coding” and as such is used in many interesting projects around the globe.

Given that there's a keen group of photographers in the company, and music is a big part of office life, I thought I'd highlight a couple of projects relating to these interests that were developed in Open Frameworks. The first is Portrait Machine: this is an interactive photography installation by Theo Watson that “visualises the connections between visitors” to the gallery. Museums and galleries are amazing places but I think that sometimes they are too inhibited, almost library like. This installation really breaks down this habitual attitude to viewing art in an institution. The people in the images are involved in the installation and look very happy to be so. They will have gone away feeling enthused to tell others to make the trip to the CBK Amsterdam.

The second project I'd like to tell you about is the Youth Music Box. This installation celebrates the 10th anniversary of the charity Youth Music.

“The aim of the Youth Music Box is to allow people of any musical ability to have a hands-on music making experience using cutting-edge digital equipment and, in particular, to inspire more children and young people to get involved in music-making.”

This is another example of an innovative, collaborative project aimed at making visitors part of the installation. Engaging people in the experience of making art is, in my opinion, the best way to get new and regular visitors exposed to the amazing things on offer inside the world of art.