"AI Time Machine - Utrecht Then & Now" is an interactive installation for the Liberation day in Utrecht that seamlessly combines historical and contemporary images of the city. Visitors manipulate time with a slider and experience the impact of 80 years of freedom.
What did Utrecht look like during World War II? And how has the city changed over the years? I created an interactive arcade installation that brings the past to life. By using physical buttons on an old map of Utrecht, visitors can activate historical locations and smoothly transition between past and present using a time slider. AI-animated images make history literally melt over the current city, offering a unique perspective on Utrecht’s transformation over the decades. A fusion of technology, history, and design in one immersive experience.
I started with extensive research in the Utrecht archives, selecting historical photographs based on impact and relevance. Using AI upscaling and colorization, I enhanced these images to create a vivid and realistic result.
With Runway ML, I transformed static photos into dynamic videos. I then filmed the present-day locations and combined the footage in After Effects to create seamless transitions between past and present.
Through brainstorming sessions, the idea emerged to present the experience within an arcade cabinet. I built the cabinet in the HKU wood workshop and integrated buttons and a slider for an intuitive user experience.
Using Arduino and TouchDesigner, I programmed the interactive elements. Buttons activated locations, while the slider allowed users to smoothly switch between time periods. User testing helped refine and optimize the experience.
Locations can be selected via illuminated buttons, instantly displaying the corresponding historical scene on the screen.
CoNTENT
Step into a unique journey where Utrecht’s past and present merge. Using AI, historical footage, and an interactive arcade cabinet, you can travel through time and watch the city transform before your eyes.
Watch the video below for a glimpse of the project.
Want to experience it firsthand? Visit and try it yourself!
Looking for a more immersive experience? Explore the full interactive installation and truly step through time. Visit us and experience the past and present in a unique way!
A mid-WWII photo showing the Maliebaan as a Nazi hotspot. In the center stands Arthur Seyss-Inquart, leader of the NSDAP in the Netherlands, with Anton Mussert beside him. This image is a powerful reminder of the occupation’s impact on Utrecht.
Taken on Liberation Day in 1945, this image shows Canadian tanks rolling through Lange Vliestraat. In the background, the Vroom & Dreesmann (now Bijenkorf) is visible. This moment marked Utrecht’s liberation, symbolizing hope and the war’s end.
A gripping photograph capturing a harsh moment during Utrecht’s liberation. A suspected Nazi collaborator is publicly humiliated by city residents. This image reflects the complex emotions of liberation, from joy to justice, and the harsh realities of war.
This photo captures Canadian soldiers leaving the city with their tanks, while celebrating locals cheer their newfound freedom. It symbolizes both the end of the war and the joy of Utrecht’s citizens as they reclaimed their lives.
A flag with the inscription “V = Victory” hangs from the Conservatory towards the current bowling alley. This flag embodies the euphoria of Liberation Day and optimism for Europe’s future after the victory over Nazi Germany—a powerful symbol of freedom.
