This is as yet just seeds of an idea, but with a rich loam!
I teach art, specialising digital media, and currently also doing an MA in interactive media at UWE. I am experimenting with Mediascape as a part of this course and have made an approach to the Holburne Museum in Bath, exploring the possibility of collaboration, and they are keen (Cleo Witt is the contact). The museum itself has closed for major refurbishment so the education centre (housed in the one time Gardener’s lodge) will focus on the gardens - the Sidney Gardens, one time Georgian pleasure garden, frequented by Jane Austen, with Brunel’s GWR and the Kennet and Avon canal passing through in deep cuttings traversed by beautiful bridges. A site steeped in history. My original idea involved students creating mediascapes as a combined art/history project that we would then ‘test’ on visitors to the gardens. But there are a myriad of other possibilities. I take students there this week to take photographs, the day being organised and hosted by the museum and involving input from a professional photographer. In preparation we have been exploring technical, social and artistic considerations in relation photography. Perhaps a Mediascape could involve aspects of this, the device giving students advice about photographic considerations - camera angle, depth of field, close-up, shutter speed, etc., as they walk around the gardens with their cameras. They could also log where they are when they take a photo. building up a photographic map, perhaps an artwork in a Richard Long sort of fashion, my thoughts are too fresh to elaborate, the project itself will be an exploration!
Above was my original idea - cut down below to fit the word count to upload on the btween site
‘Sidney Gardens’ would be located in the historic gardens in Bath and sponsored by the Holburne Museum education centre. The setting is steeped in history; one time Georgian pleasure garden, frequented by Jane Austen, with Brunel’s GWR and the canal passing through deep cuttings. The project would combine a historical tour with instruction on photography and the taking and uploading of photos. The whole would involve students, from historical research and photographic hints and tips, through the creation and testing of mediascapes, to developing a media and information rich map.
The bid in place -
http://www.just-b.com/btween/hp-labs?page=2