As we discussed in our  last blog post highlighting the top reasons why geolocation is here to stay, geolocation is growing exponentially. In this article, we talk about a new way to use geolocation. A way that does not take the geolocation as something functional, but as a game that helps people connect with local art by building community.

Here you can read about three websites that mix geo-location and a sincere passion for art to build community and help the world.

Interactive Sound Platform Online Project “Tocar la Vida” 27s60o

What is it?

This is an online interactive platform where users can recontextualize, recycle and re-appropriate sound speeches, taking into account the philosophy of Creative Commons. This is a new way of social interaction between people related to art, in which the author is not so important, but his work is: a material to be reworked and remixed.

From the work “27 Sur 60 Oeste” of the Argentinean componist Yamil Burguener -a composition which is trying to represent a contemporary view on local situations-, the site attempts to provide a real cultural exchange by allowing people around the world to intervene “27s60o” and thus to create a new work with particular influences on the place where each user lives.

How does it work?

The user chooses the section of the sound set he wants to manipulate, then he dowloads it to his computer and does the desired changes. Then, the user can upload the modified sections. The new work will be identified on the site with the coordinates of his location.

Site’s features

This site is an ambitious project of  Tocar la Vida, and it is not available yet to the public.

PaintMap

What is it?

Paintmap is a geolocation-oriented painting sharing website with the following goals:, allowing painters all around the world to physically locate the subject painted by others and learn about the artistic activity at a given area, while also allowing Google Earth users to complement the physical and photographic knowledge of a given area with the artistic descriptions provided by users.

How does it work?

The person wishing to upload a picture should search her/his location at the map. Then the painting is uploaded like any other image (JPG). The user can also add other interesting information: title of the painting, size, technique, a short description of the subject if you will, its availability and your name as the author.

Site’s features

The site is available in English and Spanish. You can follow the site on Twitter, Facebook or add it to your Google Reader. It uses the Google Maps API. Its blog is a good way to learn more about it.

Arrorró Project

What is it?

Arrorró is a project created by Gabriela Golder. Its purpose is to document lullabies from Argentina and the whole world to create a space of memory preservation through lullabies, as representative traces of individual identity among diversity.

How does it work?

The site works as a database where you can see and hear the songs compiled.

Those who wish to record their own songs can also do it. The process is very simple, they need only a webcam.

Site’s features

The site has versions in Spanish and English. It is developed in simple HTML.

Arrorró does not allow users to follow site updates via Twitter, Facebook, etc. Despite that and thanks to the people promoting the project, the site is achieving its goal of becoming a complete lullabies database from many countries.

•