Staged at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara 2012
The Root of All (follow the money), is a hybrid narrative performance, augmented reality, and participatory storytelling piece. Three “sculptural storytellers” from different socio-economic backgrounds tell short tales about the role of “money” in their lives and history. Storytellers from the lower, middle and upper class give an intimate view that reflects broader realities. The participating audience member is let in on a series of secrets and earns twenty five cents from each interaction. Later the 4th and final storyteller uses this spare change (that now equals $1.00) to purchase a dollar from the participating audience member. This dollar is scanned with augmented reality software (Layar), revealing broader secrets about the world economic system that play out on the graphic field of the $1.00 USD bill.
Viewers bring the artifact into the museum themselves, the augmented storytelling experience reveals “truths” that lie hidden in all our pockets.
