One year after the acquittal of the Colston Four – the free, new augmented reality (AR) mobile app has launched in the city to offer the public an opportunity to take a remarkable AR immersive trail for a closer, interactive look at it’s links to the transatlantic slave trade, it’s effect on communities within the city and the expansion of Britain’s colonial rule.
Decolonising Memory is an interactive immersive experience informed by the citizens of Bristol. App users are taken on a journey through the streets of Bristol to explore through AR a reimagined cityscape responding to colonisation through new works of 3D visual art, film, music, spoken word, movement and storytelling.
Decolonising Memory allows users to see and interact with digital content using the AR application as if they were physically present through the lens of their smartphone. People can simply download the app directly on the phone and head to key locations or ‘sites of memory’ in the city to engage and interact with compelling content revealing a colonial history told from an African-centred perspective.
The App takes a bold step towards imagining a decolonised city and re-examining several contentious locations and landmarks in Bristol, like the Colston statue and Pero’s Bridge. The immersive experience was designed by The Cultural Assembly in collaboration with former Lord Mayor Cleo Lake, Prof Jessica Moody from the University of Bristol and Bristol Citizens Researching Together.
Over the course of the last year, a series of events and workshops across the city were designed to facilitate a dialogue of atonement, reconciliation and learning. Led by local experts and community leaders, the events provided an opportunity for local artists, activists and people to come together to engage with these issues in a safe and supportive environment.
Kwesi Johnson said, “This is purpose-driven work, where AR-extended reality and creative technology can present a different view of the city. It became a response to the recent events in Bristol that had been brewing for many years and channels that response into something that everyone can access, and that can make a real impact‘.
Whether you are a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor to Bristol, Decolonising Memory is a must-see for anyone interested in discovering more about Bristol’s heritage from a different perspective. It explores hidden stories within the city’s landscape, inspiring those who take the journey, to engage with the past and present in a more meaningful way.
”We hope the reaction to Decolonising Memory will be a positive one. The immersive journey is an opportunity for the city to promote understanding and equity, through conversation. People can connect, and be resilient as they stand together exploring the streets of Bristol with a new perspective.”
