Pillars of Democracy

This playful and interactive installation aimed to increase civic participation and enhance awareness of the importance of democracy. The artistic intervention on the pillars of the Parliament building in Vienna invited people to express themselves, reflect, and take a stand on democracy. The goal was to establish an emotional and personal connection to democracy, emphasize the significance of participation, and promote democracy and voting on an emotional level. 

Show what’s important to you!

In the weeks leading up to the National Council elections in September 2024, LED panels on the columns of the Parliament displayed videos featuring shadow silhouettes of the participating visitors. With these “shadow clips” people could cognitively and physically express their attitudes toward various aspects of democracy, such as solidarity, freedom of choice, compromise, diversity, decision-making, co-creation, and tolerance – pillars of democracy, that were taken literally here. The Parliament was showcased as the House of the People with the message: We participate, we care, we vote.  

Pillars of Democracy was part of an awareness campaign by the Austrian Parliament and created in cooperation with the Ars Electronica Futurelab. The installation is based on Shadowgram, a tool by the Futurelab: Initially designed to combine aesthetic entertainment with the creation of a physical object – a sticker in the form of a shadow -, it enables semi-anonymous participation in social brainstorming of large groups with full physical individual engagement. For the Parliament installation, this tool was further developed: people could take a stand on eight democracy-related themes using their silhouettes and record short videos, which were then displayed on the Parliament’s columns and, if shared by the participant, on social media to stimulate lively discussions about democracy and increase civic engagement. 

In line with the eight pillars of parliament, we had chosen eight terms that are not only relevant and tangible in political contexts, but also in everyday situations. These verbs facilitated the introduction of pantomime and physical activity, making it quick and easy to make emotional connections to everyday situations. This approach helped participants to better understand and internalize the values and topics discussed. Through the reference to everyday situations and the emotional connection, it became clear how these values can be experienced and are meaningful in everyday life, even if they are based on abstract basic principles of democracy. The explanations were formulated in such a way that they could be made accessible to younger people in particular, but could also be applied to other everyday situations (work, friendship, family, leisure).

DIVERSITY
How do you deal with being different, thinking differently or feeling differently? Do you accept and respect the diversity of all people?

TRUST
How important is it to you to be able to express your opinion freely? Do you trust that you will be heard?

PARTICIPATION
How do you make decisions with your friends, family, or colleagues? Do you actively participate and get involved?

COMPROMISE
How do you feel about finding common ground? What do negotiation and compromise mean to you?

HELP
How do you feel about supporting others? With whom do you share what you have?

SOLIDARITY
How important is community to you? For whom do you stand up and how do you promote community?

RESPECT
How does it feel when you can simply be yourself and feel safe and accepted while doing so?

TOLERANCE
How do you deal with decisions being made against your will?

Visitors could also place their Shadowgram on the installation in the form of a sticker or take it home with them as a souvenir.

Credits

Ars Electronica Futurelab: Patrick Berger, Kerstin Blätterbinder, Manuel Dobusch, Marianne Eisl, Peter Freudling, Roland Haring, Susanne Kiesenhofer, Maria Pfeifer, Erwin Reitböck, Daniel Rammer
Ars Electronica: Mario Romera Gómez

PARTNER: Austrian Parliament – Parliamentary Administration