BCA x SNAP: Hidden Black Stories
‘Hidden Black Stories’ is an immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experience created in partnership with Snapchat, unpacking Black stories that are hidden in the public realm.
The events of summer 2020 ignited a global conversation about racial equity. In the UK, there was a particular focus on how race is represented in British History: how it is taught in schools and how it is represented in statues or landmarks up and down the country. There has been a lot of debate - sometimes quite heated - that the less positive historical context is missing from celebratory plaques or statues. And that many key Black British historic figures and stories are completely non-existent.
The team at Snap began to think about how its industry leading AR technology could help shine a light on these missing stories and tell them in a creative and immersive way. So they asked the Black Cultural Archives to help them.
The result is a range of Augmented Reality experiences created so Snapchatters can discover and appreciate Black British and Black stories hidden in plain sight. The ‘Local Lens’ will turn the whole of Trafalgar Square into an immersive history lesson - showcasing the moments, figures and the stories of Black British History that live behind the more famous monuments of the iconic London location. The ‘Landmarker Lens’ pays tribute to Mary Seacole and brings magic to her statue.
Tukwini Mandela
How do Brits learn about Black History?
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Black Cultural Archives is the only national heritage centre dedicated to collecting, preserving and celebrating the histories of African and Caribbean people in Britain.
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A ‘Local Lens’ experience built in Trafalgar Square
First debuted on London’s Carnaby Street last year, Local Lens technology is one of the first persistent, large-scale, collaborative uses of augmented reality. Snapchatters can walk through AR experiences that uncover the Black British and Black stories such as: showcasing the works of four Black British established and up and coming artists, sharing the stories of Black boxers Bill Richmond and Tom Molineaux, recognising the integral and unsung role Black sailors played in Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar and finally homage to Nelson Mandela who did many speeches in Trafalgar Square, and whose statue was initially meant to be placed on its North Terrace.
A Landmarker built on the statue of Mary Seacole
Despite her being voted the greatest Black Briton in 2004, the proposal to give Jamaican born nurse Mary Seacole a statue saw a lot of fierce opposition. Only after campaigning for 12 years was it finally erected in 2016 in the gardens of St Thomas’ hospital - the UK’s first bronze statue in honour of a black woman. The Landmarker Lens brings her sculpture - created by Martin Jennings FRBS - to life bringing colour to the globe behind.
“Only 32% Brits recognise famous historical black figures”
To unlock the Trafalgar Square experience (Central London, WC2N 5DN), please follow the below instructions whilst in close proximity:
Opening the Snapchat lens carousel and following the prompts
Opening the Snap Map and tapping on the Black History book icon
To unlock the Mary Seacole experience, (Westminster Bridge, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 7GA), please follow the below instructions whilst in close proximity:
Opening the Snapchat lens carousel and following the prompts
Opening the Snap Map and tapping on the Mary Seacole Trust logo
