LastWord
Last, Word
On a canvas woven with digital threads, Chesworth, the sonic explorer, cradles a microphone, eager to capture the hushed whispers and raucous tales of the world. His mission? To etch a cartographic testament of its sources and causes, to curate an auditory voyage of discovery.
In a parallel timeline, our story's hero, the humble visitor, is being coaxed by a seemingly innocuous app. It asks the visitor to become a poet of perception, painting pictures of their surroundings with words. The resonance in their voice, a stroke of love; their laugh, a speck of joy. Their stories echo, waiting to be painted on Chesworth's map.
This exchange is not lost on the third protagonist in our play - an Artificial Intelligence, silently attuned to the symphony of human emotion. This digital entity listens attentively, comprehending the gamut of sentiments shared by the visitors. Each emotion, a new colour to its understanding; each shared feeling, a texture to the tapestry of the town.
Together, they create an unprecedented map, not of the usual longitude and latitude, but of laughter and longing. The AI, using its digital brush strokes, weaves the intricate narrative threads spun by Chesworth and the visitors into a unique reimagination of Castlemaine. A map redrawn and redefined, not by its courts and cul-de-sacs, but by the visceral emotions of its passersby.
This is the meeting of the digital painter, the sonic sculptor, and the human wanderer, in the reimagining of a town on a shared canvas.
Last, Word - an emotional map
[DOWNLOAD HERE FOR ANDROID PHONES]
SensiLab and VRTOV have created an app using location-specific field recordings to allow Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival attendees to hear their surroundings through the ears of sound artist David Chesworth and record their thoughts on the place they stand, which an AI will turn into an emotional map of Castlemaine.
All festival attendees will be able to download the augmented reality (AR) app for free. We will have an XR stall at our central venue, the Theatre Royal, where attendees can download the AR app to their Android phones following the instructions below.
Last, Word offers a rich sound-centric AR experience to augment your festival journey. To install it on your Android device, simply follow these steps. Please note that this process doesn't use the Google Play Store. Instead, it connects directly to a private server where the application file (APK) is stored, accessed via a QR code available at the festival venues.
Step 1: Enable Installation from Unknown Sources
Before you begin, make sure your Android device allows the installation of apps from unknown sources.
Open the "Settings" menu on your device.
Scroll down and select "Security & Privacy."
Look for the "Install Unknown Apps" or "Install apps from external sources" option.
Enable the permission for the browser you plan to use for downloading (such as Chrome).
Note: These steps may vary slightly depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.
Step 2: Scan the QR Code
Open your camera app or a dedicated QR scanner app.
Point your camera at the QR code displayed at the festival venues.
A link should pop up on your screen. Tap this link.
Step 3: Download the App
You'll be redirected to our private server where the APK file for "Last, Word" is stored.
Tap the "Download" button.
Step 4: Install the App
Once downloaded, open your notifications menu and tap on the downloaded APK file to start the installation.
Click on "Install".
Step 5: Grant Permissions
When you open "Last, Word" for the first time, you will see a series of permission requests that are necessary for the app to function optimally:
- Microphone Access: "Last, Word" would like to access your microphone. This is needed for the app to deliver the best sound-centric AR experience. Tap "Allow".
- Location Access: "Last, Word" would like to access your device's location. This feature allows the app to provide AR experiences based on your location at the festival. Tap "Allow".
- Internet Connection: "Last, Word" requires an internet connection to download AR content and update your experiences. This will typically appear as a request for 'Network Access'. Tap "Allow".
Rest assured, "Last, Word" is committed to respecting your privacy and personal data. The app does not collect any private user information, and the use of location is anonymous.
Should you have any questions or require assistance during the installation process, our team at the information booth will be more than happy to assist.
Enjoy the immersive experiences provided by "Last, Word" and have a memorable time at the festival!