This collaborative R&D programme marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Olympic Park development.

The challenge set by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was to design a creative technology pilot project that would (i) develop a sense of belonging to the Olympic Park, (ii) develop creative health opportunities, and/or (iii) more inclusive economies for local communities and organisations.

Narrative Development | Community Engagement | AR Portrait Production | Digital Platform Development | Creative Technology R&D | Arts-Led Research

Working with collaborators from UCL and Loughborough University, we devised a creative response around recording people’s answers to a single question:   What does belonging mean for you? simple enough for anyone to answer, open enough for every answer to be different.

To this we added 3D scanning of objects and spaces meaningful to participants, combining these with voice recordings to create the initial collection of immersive audio-visual portraits using WebAR.

These were integrated into the Ci digital mapping and storytelling platform, placing participants' voices and stories directly into the landscape of the Olympic Park, linked to hotspots on live maps, interactive posters.

All participants reported how significant it was to participate, to be listened to, and to see their voice and story placed back into the landscape they inhabit.

Applying an arts-led process to creative technologies, demonstrated that there are meaningful ways to apply and develop immersive and interactive experiences with communities.

The interview and recording process became a form of research and advocacy, revealing themes and community priorities that could inform LLDC's decision-making about the Park's future: representation, infrastructure, access to nature, skills development, wealth building and community asset holding.

This project also demonstrated the full potential of combining TGA's narrative direction with new technologies into a single integrated offer, one that can be applied to any community, any landscape and any question fundamental enough to deserve creative exploration.

Client: London Legacy Development Corporation (Challenge Setter)

Programme Partners/Funders: Loughborough University London, UCL East

TGA: Industry Lead, Narrative Development, Community Engagement, AR Portrait Production, Digital Platform Development, Creative Technology R&D

Partners: Annie Davey - Academic Lead (Institute of Education UCL),  Mario Minichiello - Academic Support (Loughborough University), Melanie Walker - Research and Creative Associate

Community Participants: Deep Boroughs Network, WIILMA, Zhero Logistics, Awoke Plants, Hackney Wick and Fish Island Community Development Trust