In early 2014, a meeting of interested parties was convened at the Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol’s Watershed. Between us, we had a strong track record in digital projects, especially those that were informed by books and literature, and the agenda consisted of two words: ‘Ambient Literature.’ Discussion was lively, informed, and optimistic, and a year later, we submitted a proposal to the AHRC, sat back and crossed our fingers. Truthfully; we don’t know what Ambient Literature is. We’ve started to map the territory, to define by identifying borders and by testing the edges. It’s important to note though, that we don’t want to reduce the idea to something tight and defined, rather our intention is to open it up, so show by doing, making and thinking. Art is, I read recently, about panning for gold, finding glints of elemental truth within the noise of the world. We do know…
Ambient Literature event, London. 30 June 2016.
About the Project
What happens when data aspires to literary form? What does it mean when the place where you’re reading becomes the stage for the story? How might writing, reading and the idea of the book itself change when we use technology to design stories, rather than just present them? Ambient Literature is a two-year collaboration between the University of West England, Bath Spa University, and the University of Birmingham, established to investigate the locational and technological future of the book. Funded through a grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the project is focused on the study of emergent forms of literature that make use of novel technologies and social practices in order to create robust and evocative experiences for readers. Launched in London, Bristol and online in June 2016, the project draws on the REACT Hub’s experience working with creative industries in order to produce three experimental projects from three different authors.…