Using the latest creative technologies, including custom software written in C++ using open Frameworks and an Xbox Kinect camera, we brought the unimaginable to life by reflecting the children’s video image within the scene in real-time, allowing them to escape the reality of their daily treatment and interact with the exciting animated environment.

The Installation had to work with a wide range of abilities, from wheelchair users, visually impaired, to bed bound children, so simple movement filtering allows for triggering of music and paint with just a wave of the hands.

Following a series of workshops with physiotherapists, a range of suitable actions for patients to perform were worked up which then influenced the format and design of the games.

An environment with commissioned artworks that bring distraction, wonder and beauty can help young patients and their families cope with difficult circumstances. We sought to prevent a 'Disneyfication' of the environment in which mass-marketed children's cartoons adorn hospital walls in an attempt to offer reassurance. Instead this imagery serves to patronize older children and alienate them from the environment.

The outcome was very successful in terms of allowing children of a very broad range of abilities to interact with this animated world. It has proved to be a joyful and engaging play experience for children, encouraging them to move their bodies and allowing them to escape the day to day boredom of hospitalisation. A roll out across further hospitals in now in development due to the this success. The project has received a huge amount of national and trade press attention enjoying features in Creative Review, The Guardian, The BBC, The Evening Standard, Creators' Project and more.