Narrative spatial architecture as a model for the creation of non-linear narrativity in carnivalesque storyworlds

Abstract

This is a practice-led study that culminated in the creation of an artefact that comprises a narrativised 3D interactive storyworld with various spaces. The storyworld is called; CARNIVALESQUE CONVIVIALITY: FOLLIES, FUN AND FORNICATION AT JOOL, and is predicated upon the leitmotif of JOOL (or RAG), a student festival that I argue has a carnivalesque nature. To this end, Bakhtin's conceptualisation of the carnivalesque is explored in terms of its spatial storyworld possibilities. I thus use the notion of the carnivalesque to inform the creation of a storyworld with spaces that have characteristics of this construct, such as absurdity, reversal of social hierarchies and - significantly for the present study - a non-linear narrative that allows the user to co-construct narrative meaning constructed by spatial elements. Furthermore, the related notion of the chronotope (also a Bakthinian concept) adds to the present study's contention that a carnivalesque space is ambiguously experienced in terms of time and space. This notion of time-space aids in creating storyworld spaces that are predicated on narrative clues that facilitate non-linear narrative experiences. The use of narrative clues is inspired by Jenkins' (2004) work on narrative architecture where he investigates the different ways in which a narrative is embedded into a storyworld. Jenkins' theory is predicated on the idea of spatial storytelling established by Ryan (2012), and holds that a user can engage within a spatial environment through means of navigation and exploration. This engagement with the surrounding environment through exploration ties with narrative spatial architecture's notion of exploration of a space in order to understand its narrative possibilities. In an interactive digital platform, the user's exploration of a mediated space, with different entry and exit points, results in the creation of a non-linear narrative. This non-linear experience through user exploration of storyworld spaces will result in unique narrative experiences that may be as immersive as they are exciting, allowing for the creation of some unique storyworld spaces, and narrative experiences.