From IMLab@LASHP

Skyline Traces is an interactive mobile exhibit designed for the Los Angeles State Historic Park. ' It explores the history, present and future of the park's site and its neighboring communities. It brings together extensive historical research and the knowledge and voices of those who live and work within sight of the park to create a new type of interpretive media space. Using this site specific information as a departure point, mobile media devices will transform park landmarks and the visible skyline into relational gateways to the history of Los Angeles.

Skyline Traces was conceived and produced specifically for the new Los Angeles State Historic Park. Resulting from community mobilization, the development of the park offers Los Angeles and its people a unique opportunity for collective investigation, reflection, and dialogue about the city we have and the city we want. Skyline Traces was created with the desire to stimulate and support that process.

Historical and community knowledge is gathered, geo-referenced, keyworded, and entered into an online interpretive database. This database is organized in four related groupings: a) Park Site, B) Skyline Ring, C) Adjacent Neighborhoods, and D) City at Large. Community members and groups are invited and encourage to participate in this process.

Using mobile media devices with gps and compass capabilities park visitors explore the history of the site and the surrounding skyline. The devices provide information and media based on the users' location and the direction in which the are pointed. The participant's position, specific segments of the skyline, and onscreen selections are combined to draw thematic pathways through the history of Los Angeles.

A history of the viewers experience becomes available as a personalized website for future viewing and further exploration of the park's and city's history.

Interactive Skyline