Locative Communication: Place as a medium?

This article presents the ‘Educational Totem Project’, which was implemented during March to May in 2011, in Pelourinho, the Historic Center of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The project consists of available audio files containing narratives about five tourist sites: Terreiro de Jesus (Jesus’ Courtyard), Catedral Basílica (Cathedral Basilica), Igreja de São Francisco (San Fracisco Church), Antiga Faculdade de Medicina (Former Medicine College) and Centro Cultural Solar Ferrão (Mansion Ferrão Culture Center). These sound narratives are sent to digital mobile devices through three forms: by bluetooth, QR Codes and USB driver. The principal issue discussed in this project was the relationship between communication and place. Locative Communication could be considered a different form of communication. The information about the place is being sent to the cell phone, which adds meaning, reinforcing the sense of belonging.