(area)code

A collaboration with Blink for Futuresonic
2004

(area)code is an sms mapping system which reveals personal memories and hidden histories behind 5 key sites in Manchester city centre.

(area)code is one of the first systems to use sms and the ubiquitous mobile phone to locate information in specific places. (area)code invites you to collect and reflect upon your immediate environment, and enables new forms of engagement and information exchange between person and place. Developed for Future Sonic (area)code aims to inspire comments about the affect of urban regeneration in the city.

Manchester has been an important trade centre since the Industrial Revolution through to today’s manifestation as a retail and leisure boomtown. How do such changes affect our lives? Do we feel involved in the decision making process or do you find your life has to alter to fit these new urban spaces?


Grab your phone, enter the world of public authoring and start the exchange.
Text the keyword to xxxxx (no longer available)
KEYWORD SITES
area1 Urbis
area2 Victoria Station
area3 Starbucks
area4 Cord Bar, Dorsey St, M4 1LU
area5 Magma 22, Oldham St, M1 1J

Whether you live or work in Manchester or are visiting for the first time, share your views about each area as you walk through the city. (area)code is always on 24hours a day 7 days a week.
Some have signage but others are invisibly linked to the system to reveal how such simple technologies can enable virtual graffiti for fun or subversion.