For my concept, I wanted to focus on creating an Interactive Space that focused on the Gentrification of Clinton Hill. I am not native to New York but have seen gentrification in my neighborhood within Detroit Michigan. I learned that Brooklyn as a whole was prominently black and Clintonhill was one of the most black populated areas. Due to gentrification more black people and businesses are not able to afford to live here. As a result, Black Spatial Imagery is being lost and forgotten within the area. For my project, I wanted to look at the many black figures that lived here and highlight their lives, stories, and dreams. The user is encouraged to use this AR piece on the street or open space present within the Clinton Hill area. I looked at 4 figures: Musician Slide Hampton, Author Richard Wright, Activist Maritcha Lyon, and painter Emilio Cruz. Each of these people had unique stories and as the user approaches each area they learn about their unique lives. It was important to me to not condemn the user for living in the area but to preserve the Black history within the area. Awareness was my objective. And hopefully by having awareness we all can be aware of the spaces that we occupy no matter how big or small.
