Searching for signposts is the title for a new interactive hypermedia/digital artwork specifically for web format. This work is seen as a mystery maze of the Australian landscape where the user travels through in the form of lost tourist 'Dotty'.
Dotty (a Garland like figure) is trapped in an eternal childhood realm, and her separation from the tour takes her on a journey of knowledge of her past and present. This is a journey that persistently resists closure, as home seems ever elusive. Dotty's world would be presented as a veritable wonderland, with objects that interact with the audience.
This project, it is hoped will encourage and stimulate critical debate regarding cultural identity by playing with ideas of place and memory. This is best seen as an environment which seems festive and playful for its potential to engage the viewer not only visually, but also appealing to other senses by the use of small sounds responding to the navigation of the user.
I am motivated to develop Searching for signposts because this project has the capacity to unify a divergence of themes in a practical, conceptual and technical context. For the web user it is envisaged this work will be entertaining, fun and accessible to a wide range of ages and audiences. This constitutes another ongoing concern inherent in my arts practice - that of participation and engagement from the audience.
Tracey Benson
2001