Project Description:
Since we identified the meaning of physical avatars the next step was learning about the environment that these avatars reside in. For this project we explored different neighbourhoods in New York City, through a scavenger hunt. Here we first selected a neighbourhood and then created virtual world. For my project I choose Chinatown one of New York citys most well known neighbourhood. As an outsider to this country I wasn’t aware about the history behind the origins of this neighbourhood. Once I read about the history of Chinatown I was drawn into creating a 3D virtual map of Chinatown that portrays its history.
Materials Used:
Foam Board, Wood, Glue, Paper and Gold Paint
Reflection:
We think of a neighbourhood as a place but its not very often we find ourselves interested in the history behind each neighbourhood. As an outsider to this country I wasn’t aware about the history behind the origins of the neighbourhood that I choose, which was Chinatown. The decline in the mining business in the west coast, drove Chinese immigrants towards the East coast, in particular to Manhattan, New York City. Through next few years Chinese immigrants suffered through harsh living situations, laws and other barriers which are almost unimaginable. Once I read about the history of Chinatown where I was drawn into creating a 3D virtual map of Chinatown that portrays this history. I was able to create this by pulling out and sticking old articles form newspapers and images that illustrate the environment at that time. Through this project I was able to increase my awareness of cross culture, how society around us changes and we gain a sense of identity of a certain thing or place.
Photographs of the Final Project
