Final Project

Sorry this is late, I just realized I had saved this post instead of publishing it...
For my final project I have decided to use Layar to add statistics, images and sounds to San Pedro Square in Downtown San Jose. The statistics will correspond to art pieces that I will or have created and installed throughout the square. The unofficial mascot of the Square is the hummingbird, so I will have audio in specific places of hummingbirds.

Wandering assignment

For my project I decided to "wander" through historic Japantown in San Jose.  San Jose's Japantown is 121 years old and is one of the last three remaining Japantowns in the USA. I decided to create a map based on my sense of smell. I started at the corner of 4th and Jackson and walked to 6th and Jackson and back.

Taqueria Corona smelled of fresh tortillas and corn chips.

Walking down the street, we passed a fresh wood chip pile.

Fresh coffee wafted through the doors of this converted gas station.

Roy's Station- best coffee in town.

This place had a distinctive smell that I realized was a candle they were burning when I entered.

Gifts Kogura, an amazing store that included everything from Cupie Dolls to $1,000.00 Sushi knives. They burn Sandlewood incense to lure customers. 

A place I'd never noticed, Jackson Street Hair and Nails smelled of coconut and tropical lands...

My favorite place in Japantown, The Japanese Market... Even though they sell the best sushi in town, they still smell like fish and inside in one corner, they smell of wasabi.

A box of flowers lined the street...

Amidst the flowers were mint plants.

The best thing I happened upon was a gallery.

It smelled of copper and propane.

Caden loved the fountains and stone sculptures we discovered on entry.

Ken, the owner of the facilities, showed us the gallery. It was the most amazing gem I've found in a long time. They had everything from stone sculptures and ceramic pieces to intricite glass pieces. See me for more information!

 

The tough guy noticed the bar and doubled back.

It smelled of stale booze and cigarette butts.

The sign that led us to the back... If you can't appreciate the art here, well....

Following the light to the bar... Don't worry, I didn't let him go in.

And finally, almost back to our car... It smelled like soy sauce and amazing noodles. 

All in all, Caden and I spent nearly 2 hours wandering a 3 block area. And finally it was nap time.

Wandering

I have decided to wander through San Jose's Japantown and wander the streets of Jackson and Empire following a "map" of scents. In a condensed 5 block period there are many shops with incense, a fish market, coffee shops and many types of restaurants. It's a place I've been to hundreds of times and yet I only visit a few set places.