In the year 2119, Hastings America Ground is underwater - forgotten and uninhabited. As a volunteer for the local museum, you have offered to go down and take a look. What will you find? Can you solve the puzzles? How will you want the area to be remembered?
Beneath Water by Kevin Grist of SparkedEcho, is a mobile + audio experience inspired by the 'choose your own adventure' novels of the 1980s. Audiences engage in alternative story paths, unlocking soundscapes and thought-provoking glimpses of the future.
As one of three digital commissions in 2019 for This is for everyone by MSL, the pilot project explored the possibilities of taking over Hastings' town WiFi network. The other digital works were Ordinary Extraordinary by Rosanna Lowe, a collection of audio poems and air time by Judith Ricketts, a location-based AR experience.
The works were programmed as part of the Coastal Currents Festival 2019 and hosted on a virtual map. They were later presented at the Is this for everyone? event at St Mary in the Castle, invoking discussion about how locally-owned digital networks could help build stronger communities.
Beneath Water by Kevin Grist of SparkedEcho, is a mobile + audio experience inspired by the 'choose your own adventure' novels of the 1980s. Audiences engage in alternative story paths, unlocking soundscapes and thought-provoking glimpses of the future.
As one of three digital commissions in 2019 for This is for everyone by MSL, the pilot project explored the possibilities of taking over Hastings' town WiFi network. The other digital works were Ordinary Extraordinary by Rosanna Lowe, a collection of audio poems and air time by Judith Ricketts, a location-based AR experience.
The works were programmed as part of the Coastal Currents Festival 2019 and hosted on a virtual map. They were later presented at the Is this for everyone? event at St Mary in the Castle, invoking discussion about how locally-owned digital networks could help build stronger communities.
Play the game
How to play:
No need to book - just come along to the America Ground in Hastings, to take part. The best place to start is at the top of the Brassey Steps. Do remember to bring your mobile phone and earphones with you!
1. To start the game, in your web browser go to: smart-heritage.co.uk
2. Click on the Beneath Water icon on the map
3. Scroll down beneath the map, and click on the Beneath Water cover image
4. Click Run Game
No need to book - just come along to the America Ground in Hastings, to take part. The best place to start is at the top of the Brassey Steps. Do remember to bring your mobile phone and earphones with you!
1. To start the game, in your web browser go to: smart-heritage.co.uk
2. Click on the Beneath Water icon on the map
3. Scroll down beneath the map, and click on the Beneath Water cover image
4. Click Run Game
Soundtrack
Project notes
SparkedEcho presents Beneath Water, commissioned by MSL (2019)
Sound artist: Kevin Grist
Project managers at MSL: Margaret Sheehy and Jon Pratty
Story and puzzles designed by: Kevin Grist
Game developed by: Kevin Grist in Twine and hosted on Itch
Content produced by: Kevin Grist using Canva and Apple Logic X
Commissioner & funders: MSL, Arts Council England, RSA, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex Arts Partnership, Coastal Communities Fund
Sound artist: Kevin Grist
Project managers at MSL: Margaret Sheehy and Jon Pratty
Story and puzzles designed by: Kevin Grist
Game developed by: Kevin Grist in Twine and hosted on Itch
Content produced by: Kevin Grist using Canva and Apple Logic X
Commissioner & funders: MSL, Arts Council England, RSA, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex Arts Partnership, Coastal Communities Fund
Coastal Currents Festival 2019
Beneath Water was also part of the Coastal Currents Festival during September 2019. Available via Hastings' town WiFi network, the three new experimental commissions for This is for Everyone, can be accessed by participants using their mobile phones.
On Saturday 7 September, there was an opportunity for audiences to meet the artists in the foyer of Rock House, for demonstrations and and find out about the artistic process, before heading out into the America Ground to try out the new digital artworks.
On Saturday 7 September, there was an opportunity for audiences to meet the artists in the foyer of Rock House, for demonstrations and and find out about the artistic process, before heading out into the America Ground to try out the new digital artworks.
Testimonials
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A compelling concept for Hastings - acknowledging the environmental impact of climate change and rising sea levels for the town. Beneath Water does this imaginatively and I had great fun solving the puzzle!
Participant - Beneath Water
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Do not change anything - the dedicated sessions were great, giving enough time to really play and learn about the technology we were using.
Participant - Beneath Water
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As a visitor, I found myself looking at the landscape and architecture of Hastings, in a level of detail I'd never seen before. To think the steep Brassey Steps would be pivotal in this adventure!
Participant - Beneath Water
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It's brilliant - the soundtrack, graphics and concept. Your imagination goes back to the 80s and into the future!
Participant - Beneath Water
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