Vicky Zhou – Looking Outwards – 08

Mouna Andraos is a co-founder of Daily Tousles Jours — a design studio that explores storytelling and collaboration of environments through technology. Mouna’s studio is based in Montreal, and she holds a Masters degree from New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP), and a Bachelors degree from Concordia University, In addition to running her design studio, she is also currently teaching at Concordia University and UQAM’s École de Design.

The works of Daily Tousles Jours utilizes many forms of technology, such as sensors, phones, real-time and interactive data, and physical prototypes to encourage and facilitate collaboration and performance in public spaces. For example, one of their best known works is “21 Balançoires”, which is set up yearly in Quartier des Spectacles in Montreal. “21 Balançoires” is a row of 21 swings that span down a popular sidewalk in the middle of the city. Each swing plays a different note when in motion, and thus a melody is created when several people are collaboratively swinging together. I really admire this sort of interactive installation because it encourages users of all ages, demographics, backgrounds, etc. to come together and create an experience that would never be able to be created alone.

Throughout their presentation, Mouna and Melissa Mongiat provide thorough definitions for words at the start of major concepts and/or ideas they present, and also provide a lot of interesting videos and visualizations of what their projects encompass. I feel like these are effective in communicating their ideas, especially since their projects often touch upon several different thresholds, mediums, and materials.

Daily Tousles Jours Website