As part of the cultural engagement project Not a Shop, we have been working with Burnley Year of Culture 2027 to create a new interactive installation titled Not a Phone. This work blends creative technology, sound art, and public participation to produce a living audio portrait of Burnley.
From Legacy Hardware to Creative Technology
Not a Shop is a temporary pop-up in a vacant retail space, which presented a number of challenges. Its lack of infrastructure, particularly no permanent internet access, meant that any technological solution had to be self-contained and reliable. Combined with a tight project deadline, this required a quick, robust, and flexible approach.
These factors led to the choice of Arduino and Cycling ’74’s Max. Both platforms are well-suited to creating interactive systems without reliance on a constant network connection, and their flexibility allows for rapid prototyping and adaptation within the constraints of the space.
The installation began with the recycling and reverse engineering of a legacy VoIP phone. Rather than sending this device to landfill, it was transformed into an artistic tool, rebuilt to allow visitors to record messages in response to a set of creative prompts.
Three Prompts to Inspire Participation
When participants pick up the handset, they are invited to choose one of three questions:
- If Burnley has a song or sound, what would it be?
- If you could put on any cultural event, what would it be? Who would be there?
- Have you ever made or done something creative that made you feel proud?
These prompts encourage reflection, imagination, and personal storytelling. Over the course of the project, the recorded answers will form an evolving sound archive, capturing the voices and ideas that define the town’s creativity.
Connecting Art, Technology, and Community
Projects like Not a Phone show how interactive technologies can encourage participation and spark dialogue within communities. By presenting a familiar object in a new context, the work creates an accessible and engaging point of entry into contemporary art.
Work With Us
If you are interested in working with interactive technologies or exploring how we can support your cultural initiatives, please get in touch to discuss potential collaborations.