This is an immersive experience in two parts: an interactive attraction with stunning video projection and live performance, and an augmented reality adventure in Winchester accessed via an App downloaded to your smartphone.
The experience has lots of engaging text panels with images, objects to touch, audio and visuals, and actors – really bringing the Anglo-Saxon period to life. A particularly impressive interactive is a display case containing the Winchester Reliquary, the only Anglo-Saxon reliquary of its type from the 9th century excavated in the city. The object is made from gilt copper alloy sheets with embossed decoration and still contains a holy relic. It may have functioned as a portable altar in the days before Winchester’s parish structure had fully developed. A clever computer graphic is superimposed over the reliquary and the relic, and shows how these objects may once have looked and functioned.
After our visit round the experience, the team at 878 AD helped us to download the App and we headed out into the city in search of clues of Anglo-Saxon life in the urban landscape. When the user locates a section of wall, gate house or building the App reconstructs it on screen and provides historical context and further information. There are also fun interactive games to play, such as firing arrows over the city wall!
We reconvened at The Arc, a brand new cultural community destination in the city which offers art exhibitions, music, comedy, theatre as well as containing the city’s library. After lunch, Katerina Kremmida, Director of Heritage and Attractions at Hampshire Council Trust, provided a fascinating and hugely insightful talk about the trials and tribulations of setting up 878 AD and explained why they had turned to tech and live actors to bring the history of the city to life. Amy Jenkins-Le Guerroué, Strategic Alliances Director at Ubisoft who worked in partnership to develop the computer software for 878 AD, joined us virtually to share her experience and insights. Their discussion finished with a lively Q&A as many people listening had questions about the project.
Everyone at the SWFed would like to offer our sincere thanks for a fascinating day, with lots of helpful information shared and insights about the successes and setbacks of the project and how this information will be used for further projects being planned by Hampshire Cultural Trust.
-Lottie Churchill