Joseph Doubtfire is the artist behind Queercoaster, an augmented reality walking tour which allows participants to experience and learn about queer history in Blackpool in an immersive and captivating way. Told through fragments of archive footage of news reports and stories collected from locals, this map guides you to six landmarks within the Claremont ward of Blackpool, which are transformed into interactive scenes where you can explore the history that didn’t make it into books. Photos: Claire Griffiths
Those unfamiliar with augmented reality don’t need to worry. The StoryTrails app is easy to download and then, as if by magic, DJ Zoe, Funny Girl’s longest serving DJ and hostess, appears outside Central Library and welcomes you to the tour. She explains how, historically, Blackpool’s gay scene might not have been visible or promoted, but has existed regardless. A retro TV straight out of the 50s turns on, showing old adverts of Blackpool as a holiday destination, kickstarting our exploration into how the gay scene has been edited out of history, despite the advert slogan being ‘Everything’s Bright and Gay Here’!
Queercoaster is a ride that will move you. It champions the idea of being proud of who you are and holds a mirror up to the past in a thoughtful, creative way. Participants will finish the tour refreshed and with a sense of wanting to do more to play their part in creating a society where we encourage and promote connection with one another.
LGBTQ+ lives have always been lived, and isn’t it time that we shine a light on our collective history, including of the parts that have been kept secret due to ignorance? In doing this, we can learn from the past and pave the way to a more inclusive and accepting society, where everyone is free to live the life they choose.
Joseph Doubtfire chats to Blackpool Social Club about Queercoaster and the process behind creating this immersive walking tour.
What inspired you to create Queercoaster?
When Leo [Mercer, scriptwriter] and I started the research process for StoryTrails, we came across a few pieces of information about underground bars and cafés – places gay men would have frequented to be able to socialise to avoid police. This made us think about the hidden histories of LGBTQ+ people – the records, photographs, documents that didn’t make it into the archives, because sexuality was either not discussed, taboo, or scariest of all, criminalised.
Why did you choose Blackpool to be the focus of Queercoaster?
Blackpool sort of chose us.
Did you know the landmarks you wanted to include?
The stops of the tour unfolded as the process went along – with every person we spoke to, every interview, each new piece of research, we learnt something that gave us a richer sense of the story of Blackpool’s queer community, and the journey it’s been on. Then we had to be brutal, because even though we wanted to include absolutely everything we discovered, we had to squeeze this in to a six stop walking tour.
Did you learn anything new when you were compiling the information to feature?
We learnt huge amounts, at every stage of the process. For me, most important, was learning about people’s experiences of things that were happening nationally. Most harrowing were stories about the true effects of the ‘AIDS: Don’t Die of Ignorance’ television advert – police wearing gloves and masks to enter queer establishments, slurs shouted and graffitied on the front of buildings, all while coping with friends and loved ones dying of the disease.
A highlight of Queercoaster is the typewriter that asks participants to add their own words of encouragement, have you collated the answers, and can you share your personal favourite?
As you say, the prompt for the typewriter is to give the queer community your words of encouragement as they wait patiently before getting their spot in the limelight. It’s so encouraging to see that so many of the responses are urging people to not compromise who you are, but about being unapologetically yourself. More of that please!
What has been your favourite reaction you’ve received from participants of the walking tours?
The reactions to the Queercoaster have been incredibly positive, which is amazing. My favourite reactions are always when people feel inspired to tell their own stories, when something in the trail sparks a memory or an anecdote and they share that with us. It was particularly wonderful to hear people’s stories of Ivor, someone you’ll meet along the walking tour, but who I totally fell in love with on the way!
How long did it take to create the scans that feature in Queercoaster?
Photogrammetry can often involve using very complicated set ups of multiple cameras and a slow process of capturing every angle of an object or scene. We used an iPhone app called Scaniverse, creating a scan by moving the phone over the surface of whatever object you’re trying to capture which is much quicker! To get the scans just right, we did have to do them again and again, and again… so this is what really took the time.
As an artist, has your practise always used technology or has this been a learning curve for you?
StoryTrails was a complete introduction to lots of new ways of working, and an enormous learning curve. I’m now hooked, and technology seems to have become an essential part of my creative work. I’m also loving sharing these processes with people, so if you fancy having a go at some augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) or some 3D scanning (there’s not an official abbreviation for this yet!) – then come along to one of the workshops at Central Library!
Joseph Doubtfire is hosting workshops at Blackpool Central Library Tuesday 11-Thursday 13th April. For more information and to book, visit: Blackpool Libraries Events | Eventbrite
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