The Design of Experiences embraces both: -the development of a cultural spatial intervention, - the design of emotional and critical systems and a chain of reactions from members of the public. Taking inspiration from theatrical methodology, critical design and radical architecture, it responds to scientific research with the design of extreme physical installations and live performance. Often, it is considered as the engineering of a situation that can generate disorder and critical thinking both in the institution and amongst members of the general public. Disaster Playground (2014) is a creative platform exploring the human condition and the craft behind space exploration. By speculating on the techno-catastrophes caused by an asteroid impact and by meeting the people in charge of the emergency procedures to manage it, the project aims to reconnect the public with the real actors of Planetary Defense. Far from the slick Hollywood CGI version, it introduces the raw realities of the 'chain of commands'. Disaster Playground plays out through a series of filmic 'Programs', shot at cinematic quality that function as training scenarios for planetary defence. Shot on location at NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute, California in April 2014,1 worked with senior disaster mitigation specialists and space experts to perform reactions to 'off-nominal' events and potential hazards yet to happen. Disaster playground has been conceived during my unique position as Designer of Experiences at the SETI institute. A position I hold since 2012 in the Education and Public Outreach program. My work at the SETI Institute focuses on extending outreach activities in terms of scope, scale, and methods of engagement towards architecture, installations, environments, social system, performances, experiences and narratives, as events. This paper is divided in three sections. In the first instance, it presents the basics of the Design of Experiences at the SETI Institute (Critical Design and Theatre of Cruelty in the context of Public Space Outreach). The second part focuses on Disaster Playground, the project and its aims, how it was perceived as part of my role at the SETI Institute. And finally the third part presents Disaster Playground in the context of Planetary Defense and how it introduces a platform for debates and critical thinking amongst the general public (we will focus on the digital, film, art, design and academic audiences).
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