“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history.”
Through the fusion of media practices, our idea is to capture the spirit of imagination, to investigate how the way imagine things shifts as we grow older, and to explore one of the most unique urban legends in all of London.
The core concept of our project is that we will interview two subjects – one child, and one adult – asking them to both answer the same question:
London is home to thousands of bright green parakeets that belong in the jungle. How could these exotic birds have ever gotten to London?
We’ve chosen such a specific question for two reasons. First, it will entice storytelling and allow us to compare the answers between the child and the adult. Hopefully, the differences in their answers will say something interesting about childlike wonder, and whether adults can retain it.
Second, well, it’s possible that some of the stories out there are even wilder than even the most imaginative child could make up. Our favorite, and the inspiration for the question, is the urban legend that Jimi Hendrix released two Ringneck Parakeets on Carnaby St in 1969, and that from these two birds, London’s entire parakeet population grew. Whether or subjects can come up with something more interesting than that, we will see.
We intend to use transmediality as a device for storytelling, enhancing viewer experience, and conveying meaning – incorporating team members from across all four pathways.
The final results will be put together in moving image form showing our two interviews, edited and produced by Adam and Kaimana. As a storytelling device, however, animation will be much more unique and impactful. Elizabeth and Reeve will animate each subjects answer, bringing it to life around them as their imagination takes off. Michael will collect sound of the actual London parakeets, and incorporate it into his musical soundtrack for the project. Finally, Rumaysa will design an installation in which the final piece can be viewed, creating a truly immersive experience that sparks the viewers own imagination.
Our initial ideas and inspirations, as well as a rough concept board, are archived below.
Through transmedia collaboration, we hope capture and convey imagination in a completely new way.
This blog will serve to document our progress and research throughout the project. Follow along!
