Scanning For Stories
In an innovative use of technology, Matt Blackwood has created a QR code to make two stories he has written available to listeners. The code is on display where the stories themselves take place.
This kind of 'locative' literature, or 'LocLit', enables people to hear stories in the places they happened, so as to create a digitally immersive experience. You can listen to the stories here, or scan the QR code from the image here.
2Stories is part of Blackwood's 2012 Emerging Writers’ Festival Residency at Future Bookshop at the NGV Studio, in Melbourne. The Studio is part of the National Gallery of Victoria.
An earlier locative literature project, MyStory, won Blackwood a City of Melbourne Laneway Commission in 2010. MyStory hosts 12 stories written by Blackwood, Tony Birch, Barry Dickins, and Cate Kennedy.
Blackwood has written other locative literature: 6Stories, from different tables at a speed dating event, and 4Stories, about four people's concurrent experiences at the same Melbourne cafe.
The Future Bookshop was recently covered by Books and Arts Daily on ABC Radio National.
Photograph courtesy of the author, 2012.