Using the wasted time in life (2024 FIRST LEGO League World Festival held in Australia)
After the COVID-19 pandemic, people began to spend significantly less time engaging in cultural activities, and as a result, the arts industry suffered a major setback. While reflecting on possible solutions to this issue, I came across a news article describing a unique case in Korea where artwork was displayed at bus stops instead of commercial advertisements. I also read an opinion piece highlighting how the time people spend waiting for public transportation often goes to waste. These insights led me to wonder: what if public transportation stops could become spaces where people create and share their own artwork?
This idea developed into a project called “Paint Stopia,” which I presented at the 2024 FLL World Festival in Australia. The goal of Paint Stopia is to transform bus stops from simple waiting areas into open art spaces where anyone can express their creativity. Users can access the system using fingerprint authentication to create their own digital art. For those who may not feel confident in their drawing skills, pre-installed line images are available so they can participate by simply coloring them in.
But Paint Stopia goes beyond just creating art. People can vote for their favorite artworks, and the most popular piece of the week will be displayed at the bus stop itself. This encourages engagement and celebrates community creativity. Additionally, users can receive a digital copy of their artwork via email, and if they choose, they can pay a small fee to have their piece printed.
Through Paint Stopia, I hoped to bring art back into people’s daily lives and reclaim lost cultural experiences in shared public spaces. This project is a small step toward reimagining public infrastructure as a platform for creativity, connection, and cultural recovery.