Ambient Commons and the Eternal Passage of the Sun in Generative Public Art

Generative ambient art in public space has been developed by the researcher as part of their creative practice. Case studies of the presentation of such art works informed the design of an ambient installation in State Library Victoria (SLV) in the Melbourne CBD over 2 weeks. This installation provided the setting where ethnographic methods facilitated public encounter. Interpretation of qualitative data generated from this encounter is considered in relation to Malcom McCullough’s notion of the Ambient Commons. The research concludes that generative ambient artworks on digital displays in public settings can have a positive impact on a sense of place and intuitive place making practices and in this way supports the use of generative media as a creative way to provide public amenity and to foster the Ambient Commons.