Umm...What is the mediascape??

Experience the Live Mediascape

The Mediascape combines over 35 audio clips and 15 photographs into an exploratory walk along the North side of the Avon New Cut.Walkers can enter the area at any point, from any direction, and for any duration. The entire walk will take approximately one hour.
On entering the ‘live area’ of the walk, the user will hear a spoken introduction that includes health and safety advice, information about the area covered and what to expect.

The walk is based loosely on the Friends of the New Cut Guided History walk, offered annually in early spring as part of a series of river-based walks around Bristol.The Mediascape may appeal to a similar audience as the guided walk, as well as local residents, historians or environmentalists; the Mediascape offers the flexibility to walk at any time, alone or with others, and complete all or part of the walk in any sequence.
The walker will hear about the local history of the cut, and of specific buildings as they pass them.

Avon New Cut also acts as a ‘wildlife corridor’ into the city; audio and photographs show the walker some of the wildlife they may find as they walk along the pavements and paths bordering the cut.The i-paq can be used to document the walk, taking photos, or making notes.
Walkers are encouraged to share this and other feedback through THIS online ‘team’ blog, details of which are given on leaving the walk’s active zone.

Throughout the walk, information screens show the relevant audio zone, clip duration, and prompt the user how they can replay the clip if desired.This mediascape was made by Jackie Calderwood as part of a research project for MA Media (Interactive Audio, Video Arts) at the University of the West of England (UWE) in partnership with the Southville Community Centre Bristol.
It was designed for HP Labs Mediascape Client 1.2 and has been updated for mscape 2.0 running on iPAQ Contact the Southville Centre to enquire about hiring equipment.

You can download all the software amd information you need from the mscapers website at:
http://www.mscapers.com/home
And then download the Avon New Cut Mediascape from:
http://www.mscapers.com/msin/ABA0000107

Have fun!

Thanks to all who have provided content and advice for developing the Avon New Cut Mediascape.Local & Natural History:Roy Gallop, Anton Bantock, Ben Barker Original commentariesrecorded and edited by: Katie WhiteRevised and produced by:Jackie CalderwoodPhotographs by:Friends of Avon New Cut (FrANC) and:Sycamore - Jackie CalderwoodBluetit - Rob WaterhouseBlack Headed Gulls - Sam BloomfieldCherry Blossom - Beniamin PopMallards - Sarah Digh

Rosehips - Natural Vitamin C!

Rosehips are out along the Cut - best harvested after the first hard frost. They're great for vitamin C and keeping colds/sore throats away.
Check out traditional hedgerow recipes at: http://www.overthegardengate.co.uk/garden/herbs/reci_hedge.asp
-You'll need to strain them really well as the little hairs inside the hip are bad for the stomach!

Autumn Walk

General Hospital

Byzantine at Bathurst

Residents of the Basin

New Cut - September 2007

Yummy Elderflowers

The elderflowers were out early everywhere this year - like all flora, by about 2-3 weeks.
They're still flowering though, and great ingredients for some yummy things like elderflower cordial http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/Food.recipe/aid/516164 , champagne, and elderflower fritters http://uktv.co.uk/index.cfm/uktv/food.recipe/aid/529353

nearly every day

Nearly every day I cycle to work along the cut, its always different and it always makes me feel grounded, it reminds me I'm in Bristol and this is what Bristol's like...wet, muddy and tidal! Maybe I will learn how to take pictures off my phone so i can share any sights to or from work on the cut.

Use the iPaq to Photograph Your Walk!

Most of the photos on this blog were taken during mediascape walks, just using the i-paq (handheld computer) which is playing the mediascape. You can take photos, and make sound recordings, without stopping the mediascape. Here's Katie taking a photo - that's included in the Local Historian and Artist test Mediascape blog entry.