The World Memory Theatre::The Project

T H E P R O J E C T

Our intention is to bring to light the great trans-cultural experiences ferried across time by the mythic and symbolic imagery contained in the stories of world culture.

The realm of story is the collectively inherited domain where creative imagination thrives and where the societal myths touch us deeply. The folk art of any indigenous or traditional culture typically includes the graphical aspect of its myths, folkways and sacred symbology. The visual weaving of folk art through the many common themes expressed in traditional stories and folklore throughout history can evoke an overarching sense of human fellowship. As we bring together the mythologies of traditional cultures worldwide, we see art and stories emerging from the farthest reaches of human imagination, bearing witness to threads that are common to all humanity.

In the public areas of the Theatre Complex, before entering the Dodecagon, visitors will be visually engaged by the thirty World Photomontages as illuminated wallpanels and revolving kiosks.

This permanent installation of the World Memory Theatre, as a public-access exploratorium in North America, will be in a domed dodecagon pavilion where visitors will walk through the twelve 400 Sq ft rooms. Using a personal laser cursor to activate synchretized technology, the visual and audio elements, including HyperSonic™ directional sound, kinesthetic and olfactory effects, will immerse the visitor in a multi-sensory experience.

Each of the twelve sets will have its own eclectic cultural composition and distinct character tone, where each wall will display harmonious configurations of artifacts, as worldwide selections of authentic objets d'art, all made by living artisans. These will be drawn from the thirty-three ‘Source Regions,’ the major centers of traditional culture and civilization, shown in the World Map

To further access the cyber-linked database supporting each artifact in the permanent exploratorium, visitors may sit in 60 individual AV pods (seats-with-monitors), on a slowly revolving, three-tier, 12-sided central amphitheatre, facing outward. All twelve sets are open on the inner-facing side and therefore visible from the tiers, overlooking the 12 ft-wide carpeted walkway. Additionally, there are four large plasma screens for groups or physically challenged visitors in Seating Booths that accommodate six people in each, for a total of 84 screen-viewers at any one time.

Each AV monitor or screen will deliver graphical user interfaces (GUI´s) either by scrolling the World Photomontages or through three-dimensional viewing of each of the 12 sets, allowing navigable and zoom-in inspection of all of the art in the exhibit.

Any montage image or artifact chosen will lead to interesting cultural choices, with visuals, music and narrative, including interviews and performances by Living Human Treasures, while sidebar icons may also appear with story-links to the interactive environment.

Additionally, this storytelling theatre-in-the-round is intended to accommodate live performance and draw visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds into a ‘participation mystique’.

Public access to both physical and virtual exploratoriums, will thus offer a new and exciting educational matrix to the community at large, where the discovery of worldwide connectedness will be experienced as a positive, life-enhancing actuality, enriching for each and every visitor.