My thesis research grew out of an interest in the preservation of everyday experience as historical record, particularly in places where the physical and cultural environments are rapidly changing. I wanted to explore the possibilities for a publicly authored, living history of New York City—one which would be cultivated by the city’s residents themselves, tying experiences and emotions to physical locations. This led to questions of how such a history could be effectively shared or distributed to its audience. Still Here: New Yorkers in a Changing City links an exhibition space that senses visitor activity with a citywide spatial annotation system that presents residents’ stories in situ.
