The last chapter "Divergent Streams" was interesting due to the fact that it talked about uncommon forms of Electronic Literature, wanting to expand from the usual genres of E-lit like digital installations, VP/AR storytelling, interactive cinema, and locative narrative. One of these forms is locative Narrative, which is a form of storytelling through geographic locations. The form uses GPS on cellphones to track your specific location, and I find that cool. It's very unique to build a story on where you are, building more of a base with whatever story you tell. Also using radio frequency is another way to find a users location. Although it seems to be a little creepy to have this software to know my location, it is expanding E-lit to a cool and more personal experience.
Text Rain by Camille Utterback is a cool way of including people into her work. The design that lines your body is cool and fun to think about experiencing. I have done something like this is Boston, where colors was shown on the screen when I stepped closer or when I backed away. The concept is unique and makes the users want to participate. Strange Rain was also cool to read about, seeing how more of that interactive storytelling comes into play. It is very similar to Text Rain, just more of those different designs and not text.
I looked further into Mr. Beller's Neighborhood by Thomas Beller. The title drew me in with it's concept of being in a neighborhood that everyone shared. Then I was surprised and interested by the many non-fiction stories that were included. People that had New York City stores from their childhood or just random memories that they had, they send them to Thomas through an email to be published on the website. So users can go onto different stories and read them. One of my favorite was "Take the 7 Train" by Fredda Rosen, where she explained her first time in Queens, New York City. Her writing really drew me in, especially with the disappointment that she experienced after her dreams of New York City vanished.
I also find how this form uses gps is cool!
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued by your description and looked at Mr. Beller's Neighborhood as well. I loved how every borough had its own section with local stories from the area, and the whole layout was very pleasing. The idea that all of these things happened in the same city to different people who would never have heard about them otherwise offered good perspective on just how varied everyone's personal experiences can be.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool that you experienced an instialltion in Boston that is like text rain but with colors, since one time I experienced a similar one but with butterflies. I wonder if there is a name for this specific type of instillation (rain instillations?) and which was the first to be made.
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