Creature Chorus

What is the “Creature Chorus”?

“Creature Chorus” is an interactive digital narrative experience designed to bring awareness to the intricate relationships between humans and non-humans. It challenges the traditional nature-culture divide, showcasing how humans and the environment are inextricably intertwined in a complex web of relationships. The main purpose of the “Creature Chorus” is rooted in the natureculture concept and aims to bring this abstract idea to life by tentatively awakening awareness to the following aspects: 1) human activities shape and are shaped by the natural world, 2) cultural practices often have ecological implications and vice-versa, and 3) the boundaries between what we consider natural and cultural are often blurred.

Creature Chorus in Case Study 3

“Creature Chorus” was created through an interactive design process by the University of Lisbon and co-designed with the Natural History Museum of Funchal. “Creature Chorus” is one of the components of the Biotopia Transmedia experience that links the Natural History Museum of Funchal and Madeira’s Levadas (water canals), working towards enhancing the publics’ understanding and connection with natureculture and natural heritage.

(The publication list will be updated in the future)

Interaction Strategies

“Creature Chorus” consists of a 2D-based experience with simple yet evocative animations. The audience can interact with endemic species within three key Madeiran habitats: coastal, forest, and farming terraces, known in Madeira as “poios”. Examples of the endemic species are the Mediterranean monk seal, the Zino’s petrel, and the Madeira laurel-pigeon. Human entities such as tourists, local farmers, and nature enthusiasts are also part of the narrative.

The audience input, which is touchscreen-based, plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative. As the living scenario unfolds, with the mundane daily life of its characters playing out, the audience’s choices shape the narrative that will ultimately reveal an ending that’s defined by the storytelling moves they have made along the way.

The interaction’s purpose is to promote reflection on the multidimensional impact that humans and non-humans can have on each other’s lives and the environment.  

Technology used

“Creature Chorus” is developed using the Unity 3D engine, employing 2D rigging and parallax effects for animations. The project is version-controlled through a GitHub repository. The final product is presented on a large touchscreen within a thematic room at the Museum of Natural History of Madeira, offering visitors an immersive and thought-provoking experience that bridges the gap between human culture and the natural world.

Figure 1: Representation of the “Creature Chorus” experience (with the current shapes identifying the micro-narratives sites).

The Creature Chorus Team is:

Prof Valentina Nisi – Principal Investigator
Prof Nuno Nunes – Academic Investigator
Prof Mara Dionisio – Academic Investigator
Dr Pedro Galvão Ferreira – Senior Post-doc
Dr Marta Ferreira – Post-doc Researcher and Designer
Dr Teresa Paulino – Post-doc Researcher
Lavinia Rossini – Researcher
Catarina Correira – Researcher