Author: Rui Zhou

As I document the evolution of the ‘Hybrid City Atlas’ portal on my blog, it’s important to note that what we see now is merely a preliminary draft. This initial design outlines the potential functionalities that the portal aims to offer. However, key features such as AI-generated cultural maps, AR-enhanced reality scenes, and the development of an online community platform for interactive exchanges are still in the conceptual stage.

The realization of these intricate functionalities is beyond the scope of a simple draft. Thus, my plan is to collaborate with a professional team, whose expertise will be instrumental in bringing these innovative ideas to life. This partnership aims to transform the initial sketches into a fully functional, technologically advanced portal.

Embarking on this journey, I am hopeful and excited about the potential of this project. The ‘Hybrid City Atlas’ is more than just a website; it’s a vision of connecting cultures and identities in a shared digital space. I look forward to seeing this vision come to fruition with the collaboration of skilled professionals.

https://hybridcityatlas.my.canva.site

This week, we submitted the evaluative report and learning log updated by 27 Nov, finally!!

Blew updated research and progress about AR did not mention in the evaluative report because I just had an idea at that stage, but now I can focus on consolidating and explaining the details on why applying AR and 3D could be beneficial to my project , some good examples applied in the museums and experts’ views collected from the Internet, as well as learning how to make the cultural maps generated by AI integrated in the reality world by AR, which could also be considered to showcase in the Festival. And let my project be more attractive, funny and interactive.

WHY AR (Augmented Reality) and 3D effect?

In my project, I’m using Augmented Reality (AR) and 3D effects because they make experiencing and understanding complex cultural identities more vivid. As Chris Kluwe mentioned in his TED Talk, AR lets us experience new perspectives by ‘walking in someone else’s shoes,’ enhancing our ability to empathize. It’s not just a visual enhancement; it helps us deeply understand and feel different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Like museums using AR to make exhibitions more interactive and explanatory, I aim to transform flat personal cultural maps into 3D, offering a more immersive and interactive experience. This not only adds dimensions to the display but also deepens participants’ understanding of their cultural identities.

Reference:

Can augmented reality enhance our sense of empathy?

How Museums are using Augmented Reality

The Progress

During my project, I learned to turn flat maps into 3D forms using Playground, and separately, to present flat maps in AR using Reality Composer. This progress felt like a victory, but it also led me to think deeper about creating a unique portal. The abundance of similar platforms on the market made it challenging to stand out and engage participants with my project’s concept.

And then, I got inspiration by an app named Artificial initiated by the student of MA Visual Communication, RCA. I explored how AR can visually bring to life what we wish to see in real-world scenarios through AI-generated images. Testing the app showed me the power of visually representing things we want to see, like imaging a Chinese beef noodle showing in the French style restaurant, or snow man showing in the summer days, even AI can’t always meet our exact expectations.

https://2023.rca.ac.uk/students/max-olivazzo/

Reflection

As the evaluative report mentioned, my vision is to create a portal named “Hybrid City Atlas” which is a safe space for helping individuals visualise their complex cultural identity into personal cultural maps using AI and AR technology, while also connecting them with others from different cultural backgrounds in an empathic and non-judgmental atmosphere. This approach aims to facilitate easy understanding and self-reflection among diverse participants living in the “hybrid City”. And based on the development of the knowledge of AI and AR technology, I started to think about adding a feature to my portal that allows participants to truly see and hear the complexity and diversity of cultural identities, aligning with my project’s goal of ‘understand yourself, connect with others.’To make this vision a reality, I need to find a technology expert for support, ideally forming a team to get this project truly off the ground.

Disclaimer: The interview was not conducted by me with Dr. Jiedi Lei! However, the questions discussed in the podcast align closely with those I had planned to ask in my own research. Dr. Jiedi Lei is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist based in London and her sharing on this episode “Making Sense of Cultural Identity: Transitioning from China to the UK” provided valuable insights on the complexities of cultural identity. The full audio and the transcript of this episode attached, I include my comments along with her quotes in the blow paragraph.

10:15-13:09

“I think part of that self-identity. I kind of learned through what other people have told me so kind of seeing yourself through the eyes of others.”

“I think over the years, I’ve thought a lot about how I perhaps really, luckily, or unluckily, fit into some of the stereotypes…I work really hard to kind of this triennial Chinese kind of stereotype is that because I didn’t have a choice and I had to do that, and that’s what the stereotype was about, or is that actually to do with my personal values and where does myself actually fit into this?”

“I fit into a very niche space where it’s very hard to find other people share similar background to me….thinking about race, culture and ethnicity, how they actually are different concepts in terms of how they shape somebody’s identity.”

From the quotes, Dr. Jiedi Lei discusses several areas: cultural identity, stereotypes and the influence of race, culture and ethnicity in identity formation.

1. Cultural Identity through other’s perspectives: Dr. JD’s observation that self-awareness is often shaped through others’ perspectives resonates with the advice from my tutor and the expert Sunny regarding my intervention “mapping your cultural identity”. This concept underscores the importance of understanding how others perceive us, aiding individuals in finding their place within a cross-cultural environment. The idea that others’ guesses about the cultural identity of a map creator aligns with this perspective, highlighting the interplay between self-reflection and external perception in cultural identity.
2. Cultural Stereotypes and Personal Values: JD’s mention of the relationship between cultural stereotypes and personal values reflects the dual role of stereotypes in cross-cultural communication. While they can provide insights into potential taboos and preferences based on cultural backgrounds, enables us to respond rapidly to situations because we may have had a similar experience before; they also risk oversimplifying the dynamic and the fluidity of cultural identity, therefore we think things about people that might not be true, indicated by McLeod (2023). This duality of stereotypes as both bridges and barriers in cross-cultural interactions raises the question of how stereotypes relate to and conflict with individual values.
3. Multiplicity at Cultural Intersections: JD’s reflection on being at the crossroads of multiple cultures, and how race, cultural and ethnicity shape identity in different ways are interesting. From the perspective of my project, which focuses on the diversity of cultural identity, this prompts a deeper exploration of how individuals navigate and reconcile their identities within the context of multiple cultural influences.

15:30-16:36

“Speaking to people and reading… I became really fascinated by people growing up in a different culture to themselves and how they make sense of their experience and actually realising there’s no one size fits all. ..the kind of two way interaction quite helpful.”

Based on above quotes, it could be find that Dr. JD involves speaking to people and reading as her approach to understand her identity. Engaging in conversations allows her to bravely express and receive different perspectives. Reading about others with similar experiences of growing up in a culture different from their own helps her realise that there is no “one size fits all” approach to identity. These points reinforce the purpose of my intervention, which is to acknowledge the diversity and uniqueness of everyone’s experiences and viewpoints, especially in the context of cultural identity. Each person’s journey in understanding and integrating their cultural identity is unique and cannot be addressed by standardized methods. It’s crucial to fully respect and understand different cultural identities and create a safe and comfortable (physical and digital) space for people to communicate and understand each other.

What I have to consider the next is how to build up a safe and comfortable space (physical and digital) for people?

Reference:

McLeod, S. (2023). Stereotypes. [online] Simply Psychology. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/katz-braly.html.

I engaged in conversations during the event and conducted follow-up interviews with some participants. This approach provided a wealth of insightful feedback, reflecting the diverse experiences and perspectives of those involved.

“It’s fascinating how my personal identity was transformed into a map so quickly, yet it perfectly reflected my cultural identity. Truly magical!”

Reflection: It validated the project’s objective of using technology to mirror complex cultural identities, suggesting a successful integration of AI with personal expression.

“Although AI couldn’t generate specific images on the map, participating in this process made me reflect on what truly represents my cultural identity.”

Reflection: This feedback highlighted an unexpected benefit – participants engaging in self-reflection about their identity. It showed that even with AI’s limitations, the project prompted deeper personal introspection, a crucial aspect of understanding cultural identity.

“The AI maps are efficient, but sometimes they don’t precisely reflect personal elements. Could there be an option to manually tweak the map for a more accurate representation?”

Reflection: The suggestion pointed towards an area for improvement, and it emphasises the need for balancing AI efficiency with personalization.

Although using AI drawing tool can meet the requirements of inviting most people without art background to participate in the event and save their time for participation, if I want the event to be more effective, I should provide participants with an option, that is, they can be on-site use other manual drawing software (eg. procreate) to modify the cultural map until they’re satisfied.

“Could this be developed into a platform like the MBTI, where people connect through shared map codes?”

“This could be a great party game, guessing each other’s cultural identities!”

“It’s fun guessing others’ cultures through AI maps, but why not create a platform for us to interact and get to know each other more?”

Reflection: In fact, whether it is to create a test platform similar to MBTI, develop it into a party game, or build a communication platform between people, these feedbacks and suggestions are in line with my goal of this project “to understand myself and foster broader cultural understanding and empathy” are consistent.

Regarding building a communication platform between people, although I have created an Instagram account for this project to display the participants’ personal cultural maps on social media, the influence is too limited and the number of fans is too small. There are even fewer people, so there is no way to achieve the effect of “communication”. At the same time, I discussed this issue with my tutor during the tutorial. She suggested that I can make an app similar to dating software in the future. Everyone can use the generated cultural map as an entry point to get to know and socialise on the platform. Can I create an app or website to realise the idea? I think I’ll try…..

The suggestion of a similar test for MBTI is actually quite interesting, but the scope involved may be more far-reaching and extensive. First of all, the biggest feature of personality tests is that they are categorised. The biggest feature of the personal cultural map I generated is “special”, emphasising the “uniqueness” of the individual and the “diversity” /”complexity” of cultural identity. Secondly, as a personality test, MBTI has certain psychological and scientific basis, although it is currently very controversial. But if I want to use the personal cultural map project as a test to understand my personal cultural identity, I must find experts in cross-cultural subjects to conduct more in-depth and extensive research, use some scientific theories as the basis, and conduct continuous intervention tests to have a chance of realising it…It sound challenge, but isn’t this what our courses need to explore??

The Genesis of Collaboration

My journey of self-discovery took an exciting turn last week when I collaborated with a student from London College of Communication (LCC). Their final year project centered around MBTI personality types and the theme of personal identity in photography. Learning about my project on identity, we saw a perfect opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The Role of Photography in Expressing Identity

As a model for their photographic series, I engaged in a deeply symbolic and creative process. We used balloons, fabric, ropes, and mirrors as metaphors to represent different facets of my identity. Each element held its unique significance:

• Balloons: Symbolizing the lightness and buoyancy of my aspirations and dreams.
• Fabric (Tulle): Representing the layers and complexities of my personality.
• Ropes: Illustrating the ties and connections I have with my cultural background.
• Mirrors: Reflecting my inner self, encouraging introspection and self-awareness.

A Period of Uncertainty and Reflection

This photoshoot became more than a mere artistic endeavor; it transformed into a period of introspection. Amidst the props and camera flashes, I found myself pondering my current phase of life, characterized by uncertainty and exploration. The act of portraying my identity through these objects sparked profound reflections on where I stand and who I am at this juncture.

Conclusion: A Shared Journey of Discovery

This collaboration was not only about contributing to a student’s project but also about exploring the depths of my own identity. It was a shared journey of discovery, blending artistic expression with personal exploration. The experience left me with a richer understanding of myself and a deeper appreciation for the power of visual storytelling in unravelling the layers of one’s identity.

Overview of the Activity’s Impact

The “Mapping Your Cultural Identity” series was a remarkable endeavor. Conducting three different tests at various locations and scenarios, we engaged over 40 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, nationalities, regions, and identities. The concept of “AI drawing” served as a unique attraction, drawing curious individuals to our intervention. The simplicity of the initial setup, coupled with the quick AI drawing process, allowed for an efficient and engaging experience. This innovative approach successfully attracted a diverse group of participants, facilitating the collection of valuable data and feedback.

Learning to use AI tools for artistic creation was a novel experience for me, integrating technology with creative expression. The significant participation in this activity underscored the popularity and relevance of the fusion between art and technology in contemporary culture. This response not only validated the project’s appeal but also highlighted the potential for continued exploration and application of this concept.

Creating a Comfortable and Trusting Environment

Based on expert recommendations, I endeavored to create a free, comfortable, and trusting environment for the participants. Displaying previously generated colorful and intriguing personal maps not only piqued public interest but also conveyed the event’s creativity and safety. Engaging in conversations with participants about their chosen cities, regions, personal cultural symbols, favorite colors, and artistic styles was enlightening. These interactions encouraged participants to reflect on their cultural identities while broadening my understanding of diverse cultures, religions, and the importance of embracing multiculturalism.

Choosing varied locations for displaying the works and inviting participants marked a journey out of my comfort zone. While the public area of CSM represented a familiar setting, engaging with passersby at the accommodation’s hub and near the London Eye was a leap into the unknown. This venture outside my comfort zone was both challenging and rewarding. The curiosity and approval of the participants towards my project were affirming, and personally, it represented significant progress in my ability to engage with diverse audiences.

Participant Engagement and AI Limitations

Involving participants in the activity, I set clear expectations regarding the AI’s capabilities and limitations, citing relevant academic references. I advised them not to expect a perfect replication of their cultural maps by AI but to look forward to the surprises it could offer. The AI-generated maps were often stunning, particularly in depicting religious symbols (like crescents), Chinese elements, and famous architectures. However, it struggled with less known localities and specific foods. This highlighted the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in such projects, showcasing its potential in artistic representation while acknowledging its constraints in detailed interpretation.

According to Tai (2020), “Artificial intelligence (AI), known by some as the industrial revolution (IR) 4.0, is going to change not only the way we do things, how we relate to others, but also what we know about ourselves.” The results generated by AI may trigger individuals to think deeply about their own cultural identity. Comparing the output of the AI to a person’s internal cognition can promote a deeper understanding and critical reflection on one’s own cultural identity. At the same time, the technical limitations of AI may result in it not fully accurately reflection the personal cultural identity. The misunderstanding and errors can affect an individual’s understanding of their cultural identity sometimes.

Reference:

Tai, M.C.-T. (2020). The impact of artificial intelligence on human society and bioethics. Tzu Chi Medical Journal, [online] 32(4), pp.339–343. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_71_20.

Digital Community Building and Instagram Engagement

The creation of an Instagram account for the activity aimed to establish a digital community concept. However, the follower count remained modest, which I attribute to a missed opportunity in integrating the registration process with the Instagram follow action. The use of separate QR codes for registration and account following, along with some participants manually providing their information, likely contributed to the low conversion to Instagram followers. This gap in digital engagement was a learning point. It highlighted the importance of streamlining processes for effective online community building. In future projects, ensuring a seamless connection between physical participation and digital engagement will be crucial to foster a more robust and active online community. This experience has provided valuable insights into the dynamics of digital community engagement and the strategies needed to enhance online participation in line with the project’s objectives.

Conclusion

In summary, the “Mapping Your Cultural Identity” series was a journey of discovery, innovation, and learning. It was a testament to the power of technology in bridging cultural gaps and the importance of creating inclusive, engaging experiences. The series not only provided insights into diverse cultural identities but also highlighted the significance and limitations of AI in artistic and cultural explorations. This reflection has been an invaluable part of my learning curve, offering perspectives that will undoubtedly shape my future projects.

Visual Artist’s Engagement and AI Interpretation

The involvement of a visual artist, You Chen, who initially suggested the use of AI for artistic creation, added significant depth to my project. During the intervention, this expert shared personal elements – his hometown, Fuqing, and a culturally significant food, oyster cake, to be depicted by the AI. However, the AI faced challenges in directly interpreting these specific elements. Instead, it created an image that, while not directly mapping the requested elements, captured the essence of Chinese culture and artistically deconstructed the concept of an oyster cake. This outcome was not achieved through the standard map generation prompts but through alternative instructions, demonstrating the flexibility and creativity inherent in AI technology.

Expert’s Reaction and Project Relevance

The expert expressed satisfaction with the resulting image. More importantly, he deeply understood and empathized with the objectives of my project. He recognized the significance of such an intervention for individuals with similar experiences, emphasizing the project’s potential for creating a shared sense of understanding and connection. His feedback underscored two critical aspects of the project:

AI Technology’s Role: The expert’s experience highlighted the AI’s capabilities and limitations. While it couldn’t directly render his specific cultural elements, the AI’s interpretative creativity opened up new avenues for artistic expression. This incident showcases how AI can be a powerful tool in exploring and representing cultural identity, albeit in unexpected ways.

Project Significance: His reaction reinforced the project’s relevance and impact, particularly for those with a strong sense of cultural identity. The expert’s satisfaction and empathy toward the project illustrated its potential to resonate with diverse audiences, offering a platform for exploring and celebrating cultural nuances.

This week, I conducted a series of interventions themed ‘ Mapping your cultural identity’ both online and offline in different locations. Below is the details record.

Process

Initial Conceptualization and Learning Phase:

• My research, focusing on how individuals navigate their cultural identity’s complexities in urban environments, initially led me to conceptualize an intervention test involving a collage or drawing workshop. I envisioned participants using artistic methods like collage or drawing to represent their personal experiences in various cities or regions. They would create a composite map featuring city elements and symbols linked to their identity, showcasing the multifaceted nature of cultural identity. However, reflecting on the extended participation time required for such workshops and lessons learned from a previous intervention, my goal was to engage more participants without demanding much of their time. During a discussion, a visual expert, understanding these constraints, suggested the use of AI tools like Midjourney. This approach would efficiently create personalized identity maps for participants, accommodating those not skilled in drawing or collage-making, and addressing the time constraints. https://koalaland.myblog.arts.ac.uk/2023/11/03/unit4-7-expert-stakeholders-feedback-suggestions-1/
• Intrigued by the idea, I dove into learning about AI art tools, particularly Midjourney. I spent hours on YouTube, absorbing tutorials about how to effectively use the tool. I learned the intricacies of prompt generation, which involved understanding how to translate participant responses into visual commands that the AI could interpret. This phase was crucial as it equipped me with the skills needed to bring the project to life.

Preliminary Intervention Plan and Expert Collaboration:

• Armed with my newfound knowledge, I crafted a detailed intervention plan. This involved outlining how the activity would proceed, what data would be collected, and how the AI tool would be integrated.
• I shared this plan with the psychotherapist Sunny, who not only provided valuable insights but also agreed to participate. As a stakeholder, her involvement was significant in adding credibility and depth to the project. The day before the intervention, she remotely participated, and a personalized cultural map was created for her using AI, which served as a practical test of our approach. (The feedback from expert: https://koalaland.myblog.arts.ac.uk/2023/11/10/unit4-8-expert-stakeholders-feedback-and-suggestions-2/.)

Proposal: Mapping your cultural identity

Background: In our global age, many immigrants and international students cross borders and engage with new cultures. Finding and affirming one's cultural identity is a common challenge they face. This activity, "Mapping Your Cultural Identity," aims to use a mix of art and technology to help participants explore and express their unique cultural identities. The creative identity maps produced will be shared and interacted with the public, promoting understanding and exchange between different cultural identities.

Purpose：
1.	To encourage participants to explore their own cultural identities;
2.	To increase public understanding of diverse cultural identities through public participant;
3.	To create a platform for conversation between people of various backgrounds.

Process:
1.	Registration: Participants sign up by scanning a code or filling out a form with preliminary questions and submitting personal information.
The survey form: https://forms.gle/nBVEMvbXF8hCkuYQ7
2.	Map Creation: Using Midjourney AI drawing tool, uses the information to create a personal identity map for the participant, which can. Be refined 2-3 times;
3.	Map Display: With the participant’s permission, their map is displayed at the event site and on the event’s online Instagram Account.
4.	Interaction: The public is invited to guess the cultural identity of the map’s creator using keywords. They can leave comments on-site or online and place their guesses in envelopes corresponding to different maps.

Execution in Varied Locations:

The intervention was conducted over two days – Thursday and Friday. I chose three distinct locations to ensure a diverse range of participants and richer data collection:

a. CSM’s Open Area: Primarily art students from various cultural backgrounds. This was the first trial of our intervention, so a familiar and comfortable setting was essential.

b. iQ Student Accommodation’s Hub: The residents here were from varied academic and cultural backgrounds, providing a different perspective compared to the art-centric CSM crowd.

c. Near the London Eye: An iconic tourist spot in London. This location was chosen to reach beyond students to a broader audience, including tourists from diverse cultural backgrounds.

On-site Interaction and AI Integration:

• At each location, I invited participants to share basic information about their cultural identity. This data was then fed into the AI tool to generate personal cultural maps on the spot.
• Participants were also encouraged to view and interpret others’ maps, guessing the cultural identities depicted. This created a lively, interactive atmosphere.
• While waiting for their maps, participants engaged in discussions about the complexities of cultural identity, sharing their perspectives and experiences. This not only enriched the intervention but also provided deeper insights into their thoughts on the AI-generated maps.

https://youtu.be/p24Eg2_Yl3s?si=tle3YK3VHYV_pKUM

Digital Expansion and Engagement:

• Alongside the physical intervention, I established an Instagram account. Here, the generated maps were posted, inviting participants and a wider online audience to engage with the content.
• The digital platform served as an extension of the physical intervention, allowing for ongoing interaction and exploration of cultural identities beyond the immediate event.

I conducted an interview with Sunny (Songqin) who is working as a psychotherapist and is currently based in Waterloo, Canada. Sunny is a new immigrant just moving from China to Canada with her husband for 2 years. As a psycho expert but also a stakeholder, Sunny shared her valuable perspectives and suggestions on my previous intervention “London City Walk” and my current intervention”Mapping your cultural identity”. Furthermore, I invited her to join the “mapping your cultural identity” intervention remotely, and she provided me some useful feedbacks after that.

****Below is a summary of my conversation with an expert. Per the expert’s request, the phone conversation was not recorded, so the following content is a recap of our discussion. This interview also included text communication through WeChat and Instagram.******

Q: Considering the ‘city walk’ intervention in my project, which aims to help immigrants and international students explore London, how do you think such an activity influences their psychological journey towards navigating the complexities of their cultural identity and establishing a cultural identity in a new environment?

The ‘city walk’ intervention is an experiential activity that serves as a sensory bridge connecting individuals to their new environment. Theoretically, it aligns with the concept of environmental psychology, where physical spaces influence feelings and behaviors. By engaging with London’s landscapes, immigrants and students can anchor their personal experiences in the city’s cultural narrative, fostering a sense of belonging.

Q: From a psychological standpoint, what benefits do you believe the process of creating personal cultural maps could offer to individuals in their quest for cultural identity and a sense of belonging while living abroad?

Creating personal cultural maps is a therapeutic exercise that mirrors aspects of narrative therapy. It allows individuals to externalize and visualize their cultural journey, which can be empowering. This act of mapping can help in reauthoring their identity narrative, providing clarity in their cultural self-concept and potentially easing the dissonance caused by cultural shifts.

Q: Could you suggest ways to enhance the introspective and reflective aspects of both the ‘city walk’ and cultural mapping activities to better support the participants’ mental well-being and cultural integration?

To deepen the reflective quality of both activities, I’d suggest incorporating elements of mindfulness and journaling. Encouraging participants to be fully present during the ‘city walk’ and to reflect afterward can heighten awareness of their internal state. With cultural mapping, guiding them to identify emotions associated with each place or memory can provide insights into their evolving identity, aiding in their psychological adaptation and well-being.

*********************Below is the survey provided by the expert and her cultural map generated by AI*******************