The Optics of Memory is an exhibition by media artist Kasumi and architect Diane Davis-Sikora in which art, architecture, and interactive technology come together to enhance public, social interaction. The project was awarded The Knight Foundation Arts Challenge whose goal is to bring arts and culture more deeply into neighborhoods.  
Components of the project include SignWaves, a live performance, a collection of lenticular prints, and a public bench.

Above: screen captures from Sign Waves. Check out the live performance except on Vimeo

The goals: 
 
Expand ideas of community and identity.
 
Provide opportunities for the public to become both audience and collective user through interaction with media devices and performances placed in vacant store fronts or underutilized urban locations.
 
Enhance the use, identity, and sense of place for urban sites in Akron by offering interactive events and user-interface activities.
 
Draw a wide range of users and encourage people to participate in a common goal in a open and cooperative manner.
 
Contribute to the growing independent filmmaking community and public art initiatives, and present an opportunity to create a synergy between them.
 
Enrich the vitality of Akron’s growing art/tech industry by creating the prototype for our community-based projects.
 ​

If you are interested in helping support this project, please visit The Kent State University secure donation form