With the rise of location based mobile applications and Google map mash-ups, location-based content is becoming a major trend. Interesting also that this intersects with the shop local trend that has been growing over the last few years to save us from trailing dirty carbon footprints when we get groceries and hipster t-shirts.

The point to all this is that a location is more than just its physical space its also the psychic space of the experiences, thoughts and imaginings of the people in it.

Local artist (and discerning blog reader) Nicola Grobler was exploring this theme in a recent work that involved her stopping passers in set locations around Cape Town and asking them for examples of small victories achieved that day. The resulting collection of victories (which were then printed on mugs and re-distributed) paints a picture of a location that captures it in just a valid way as a photograph.

Another example (Via PSFK) is the the London Parks Board who are commissioning stories from famous writers set in their parks – that will be then sold at the actual location.

For a more techie version of the trend check out The Grid’s Mobikasi Location based documentary (mentioned before on this blog).

Reminds me of a suggestion I made to a senior Intel (ex-client) person when they were briefing us on Wi Fi (about eight years ago), which was the interesting thing about hot spots was maybe you could put unique content on them to be downloaded by visitors. For example a coffee shop with music tracks by a band; It would make a good incentive to visit a location. Of course he looked at me like I was an idiot instead of pointing out my obvious genius. Sigh.

See also William Gibson’s Spook Country all about augmented reality as far as I could gather (gave up half way through due to brain ache).

(Pic is from Nicola’s Small Victories project which will be returning to Cape Town later this year)