The soundwalker in the Street: Location-based audio walks and the poetic re-imagination of hybrid space.

Abstract

This research analyzes in what ways location-based audio walks mediate human experience and interpretation of reality, and how these technologies mediate human actions and the way humans are being involved in their world. It elaborate on the concept of poetic imagination in relation to hybrid space: what is hybrid space? What kind of ontological shift towards multiplicity does it bring about? What is poetic imagination? and what is its role within this notion of space? In answering these questions, this research elucidates the role of imagination, memories and stories within the multiplicity of space. In doing so, it concentrates on the mediating role of location-based technologies in the engagement and involvement of reality by linking the notion of poetic imagination to the concept of engagement by Albert Borgmann framed within the post-phenomenology of Peter-Paul Verbeek. With the use of three different case-studies: De Tapes; Westergas GPS Audio tour; and iWhisper this thesis analyzes, from a post-phenomenological perspective, in what ways location-based audio walks media the poetic imagination of space and how this medium is able to re-imagine and reshape space.