Lulu Sweet: A Gold Rush Tale in 8 Acts

Lulu Sweet – A Gold Rush Tale in 8 Acts, is a location aware walking tour app situated on the Fraser River, BC, Canada (behind the Richmond Olympic Oval), re-imagining the life of Gold Rush actress Lulu Sweet, for whom Lulu Island (Richmond, BC) was ostensibly named. Created by artists Deanne Achong and Faith Moosang as a public art commission for the City of Richmond, the app explores questions of technology, public space and the means in which history is collected, archived and shared.

The Fraser River itself, the backdrop for the walk, is a feature in many of the stories, as it was on this river that the idea for naming the island Lulu, was first formed.

There are nine gps activated hot-spots that, as you stroll by the river, take you to different moments and places in Lulu’s story – from New York in 1850 through the jungles of Panama, the mining towns of California, the Colony of British Columbia, a fateful moment on the river, to the footlights of the Gold Rush stages of San Francisco. Experience these audio/visual stories in a variety of ways, including interactive 360 degree panoramas, scrolling texts and animations.

Start the tour on the Middle Arm Trail, right behind the Richmond Olympic Oval (you can park there) between the Dinsmore and No 2. Road bridges (see lulusuite.ca/appsupport for map). Note: Please allow access to location services on your iPhone.

The app also functions in a virtual mode format, where you can click on the map and activate the stories without the need to be walking by the Fraser River.

- Comprehensive historical research
- Archival photographs, film, music, and ambient audio
- 53 original audio visual stories
- Silent film influenced aesthetic

Supported Devices
- iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5c, 5s and 6