Belfast is buzzing with a unique opportunity this December as the 'StoryDreamer' prototype opens its doors to the public at 2 Royal Avenue. This brand-new, immersive installation invites you to delve into Belfast's rich and diverse stories, sparking imagination, memory, and creativity.
Open daily from 10am to 6pm until December 10th, and with extended hours until 9pm on Thursday, December 4th, for Late Night Art, StoryDreamer is completely free to experience. No booking is required, but please note that participants must be aged 18 or over.
StoryDreamer is the brilliant result of a collaborative effort by Hamilton Robson, Nerve Centre, and 1 Up Studios. It was developed in response to the 'Augment the City' industry competition, which is proudly funded by the Belfast Region City Deal.
Luke McNeice from Hamilton Robson explains, “StoryDreamer truly brings to life the voices and experiences of Belfast's people through film, sound, archive material, and digital interaction. We’ve harnessed cutting-edge technology to showcase the incredible power of storytelling in connecting people and igniting curiosity. We invite everyone to reflect on their own experiences and become part of Belfast’s evolving narrative by sharing personal memories, hopes, and dreams for the city’s future. It’s a fun and exciting glimpse into how tech can enhance our cultural and tourism experiences.”
The installation offers two captivating experiences:
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Meet the Holographic Story Gatherer: Powered by advanced AI, this holographic guide takes you on a storytelling journey, inspiring you to craft and share your own unique story.
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Explore a Galaxy of Stories: Step into an interactive space where projection mapping and motion gestures allow you to unlock a universe of interlinked tales, featuring rare archive films and imagery that highlight Belfast’s creative spirit.
Councillor Natasha Brennan, Chair of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, shared her excitement: “It’s fantastic to see people engaging with StoryDreamer. It emerged from our ‘Augment the City’ challenge, which encouraged local innovators to explore how immersive technologies could help gather stories, especially from underrepresented voices across our city. These prototypes offer a brilliant insight into how immersive technologies can elevate future world-class visitor attractions, including our own Belfast Stories public space, visitor experience, and creative hub, set to open on Royal Avenue in 2030.”
Councillor Brennan added, “It’s particularly timely that StoryDreamer is showcased at 2 Royal Avenue while we’re also displaying the updated design proposals for Belfast Stories. We’re keen for people to provide their feedback on these designs as part of our public consultation before we submit a planning application next spring. I encourage everyone to pop in, try StoryDreamer, and while you’re there, check out the Belfast Stories designs and have your say.”
The Augment the City Challenge Fund is part of the XR Belfast programme, which supports Belfast’s innovation and creative industries sectors in leveraging emerging technologies. The fascinating archive content used in StoryDreamer comes from both Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).