"Touch" interactive installation lights up Brussles' Dexia Tower

Those who think that everything is better with LEDs may want to pay a visit to Brussles sometime within in the next couple of weeks, where you can currently catch the "Touch" interactive art installation by LAb[au] that's bathing the city's Dexia Tower in multi-colored blinkin' lights. More specifically, all 4,200 of the tower's windows has been outfitted with RGB LED bars (besting the M-INT Kobe building's 2,800 blue LEDs), which can be flipped on and off or changed color at will (click though to the live video stream to see it in action). What's more, the entire light show is controllable via a series of touch screens at the base of the tower although, sadly, it seems they haven't thought to rig it up with an emulator for some scarily life-sized Space Invaders action (certainly not out of the question, given some other projects we've seen). Those planning on checking it out shouldn't hold off too long though, with the whole thing set to be shut off January 15th.

[Via Information Aesthetics]

[wei.sui @ Dec 29th 2006 8:31AM]

excellent
i will go and have a look since i will be in that neighbourhood tonight

[RobWest @ Dec 29th 2006 8:31AM]

I hate to sound pedantic, but I think you'll find it's spelt Brussels (or Bruxelles if you'tre Belgian).

[bollewolle @ Dec 29th 2006 2:01PM]

* offtopic: or "Brussel" if your from the Flemish part of Belgium

Anyway, to be bact on topic, I work in a part of Brussels and nearby there is large cooling tower that since a year or so has been outfitted with LED bars. Once its dark there are some pretty cool effect on them (during last Christmas period there where moving snowflakes, Santa in his sled, ...). I've filmed it once, but since I am at work at the moment I can't upload it (and this evening I've probably forgotten about it already). Just my $0.02

[Unomi @ Dec 29th 2006 8:53AM]

It remembers me of the BlinkenLights http://www.blinkenlights.de project.... Only this time it is with LED tech.

It is cool. I like lit-up matrices.

- Unomi -

[Frank @ Dec 29th 2006 9:14AM]

That's cool and all. Now if they could control it via Wiimote...

[Mike @ Dec 29th 2006 9:21AM]

I hate to be anal but don't we have enough light pollution as it is? I think most city goers would be just as dazzled by the natural 'art' the universe has to offer on a dark night.

[netdroid9 @ Dec 29th 2006 9:31AM]

Five bucks says someone'll try and turn it into a bigger-than-life Goatse display.

[YoMomma @ Dec 29th 2006 11:40AM]

Big deal, the Cira Centre in Philadelphia lights up just like this and is a permanent fixture. It doesn't have an interactive option though.

But this Dexia building's website is poorly managed. Most of the links are blank and state, "Will be updated by Dec 21" even though its 12/29 and still blank. Why would you put a date up that you're going to have a webpage done by and then not even have it done by that date? Lame.

[alex @ Dec 29th 2006 1:41PM]

the website is very well managed: if you would think twice before you talk there is only one page missing content. you're just jealous :)

[Phil @ Dec 29th 2006 12:34PM]

The city is called "Brussels" not Brussles ("Bruxelles" in French). I live near from these towers, it's really beautiful indeed.

[Phiz @ Dec 29th 2006 12:39PM]

I have a great view of this from my apartment, and was wondering if there was some method behind the seemingly random colour transitions.. Working on hacking it now ;)

[Will @ Dec 29th 2006 3:10PM]

Screw Space Invaders. They should play Wii on it. There's enough pixels...

[Brendon Carr @ Dec 29th 2006 6:17PM]

Brussels.

[Jan @ Dec 30th 2006 4:33AM]

Pretty amazing to have to read this from engadget while i'm Belgian myself. I used to commute through Brussels by train. I wonder if it's visible.