Fiducial Voice Beacons

This app converts your iOS device into a “remote control” for "Fiducial Voice Beacons", an interactive artwork that allows participants’ voices to animate the lights hanging in Information Age gallery, Science Museum in London, England. To use this app you need to be in the gallery, connected to the free Science Museum WIFI network.

Using this app you may listen to and record voice messages that play back on 40 circular “beacons” that span the ceiling of the gallery. The content of the project includes recordings generated by the public alongside historical voices curated by the Museum.

This app features a 3D view of Information Age gallery that rotates and turns with your device as you walk around. In this ‘live’ view you will see all 40 light beacons and hear a murmur of all the voice recordings that are stored in them.

Touch the screen and move your finger between beacons to hear individual recordings. As you do, the beacon in the gallery becomes brighter and the sound becomes louder.

Tap a beacon and a pop-up window will give you information about the recording, as well as let you rate it or flag it as inappropriate. Press “Record” to replace the current voice message with your own. After you submit your recording the message will play back for all to see and hear.