‘Healing Tool’, A Roadway Art Installation That Uses Digital Billboards to Recreate the Nature Destroyed In Their Wake

Multimedia artist Brian Kane has created “Healing Tool“, a unique temporary installation that uses digital billboards along Massachusetts roadways to recreate trees and other foliage that had been blocked or taken down to make way for the billboard itself.

The goal is to provide a moment of temporary relief and unexpected beauty during the daily grind of commuting. The piece builds on a body of work which simulates digital experiences in the real world. In this case, simulating the Photoshop Healing Tool to replace or patch over the landscape which is blocked by the billboard. During the day hours, a series of images from the specific location are shown on the display. We replace the missing background and create a magic dimensional window. A dynamic motion parallax effect occurs as the vehicle passes the location.

During the day hours, a series of images from the specific location are shown on the display. We replace the missing background and create a magic dimensional window. During the evening hours, high-resolution images of the moon are shown. Synced to the daily phase, people can view the moon despite the effects of urban light pollution. An image of the Milky Way is shown on new moon night.

Healing Tool

Healing Tool

Healing Tool

Healing Tool

images via Brian Kane

via AdWeek

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.