Statues Across England Spring to Life with Mobile Technology

Statue_Of_Sherlock_Holmes-Marylebone_RoadPublic statues of well known figures in London and Manchester are being given voices through smartphone technology with the aim of enabling people to better connect with the history around them.

The project uses QR codes and NFC chips built into heritage plaques attached to the statues which trigger an audio file disguised as a phone call, creating the illusion that the historical or literary figures involved are contacting users directly.

A number of famous writers have been involved in creating the monologues for the statues, including Jacqueline Wilson, Tony Harrison and Anthony Horowitz, while voices have been provided by figures including Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Paxman, Nicholas Parson, Jenna-Louise Coleman and Russell Tovey. The scheme includes 38 statues in London and Manchester, covering a wide range of figures including Isaac Newton, John Wilkes, Alan Turing, two cats and a goat

The project was developed by “public interventions” company Sing London, in conjunction with Antenna Lab, and data from the project will be analysed by researchers from the University of Leicesters School of Museum Studies, who will be examining the impact the scheme has on local landmarks. The statue of Queen Victoria, for example, encourages listeners to visit the Victoria exhibition currently running at Kensington Palace.