Passage

https://chrisjose.ph/2024/passage I am fascinated by the interplay of history, technology, and storytelling. "Passage" is an exploration into the life and journeys of Marco Polo, combining data, design, and interactivity to tell a story that invites the viewer to become an active participant in his travels. It is a bridge between the past and the present, a contemporary lense through which to view the world Marco Polo once traversed. Each location Marco Polo visited is rich with its own stories and histories. Overlaying modern news from these places creates a dialogue between the past and the present, suggesting the timelessness of human curiosity and exploration, and the interconnectedness of our world. The viewer is invited to consider how the legacies of history shape our current realities, and how - despite the passage of time - the spirit of adventure and discovery remains a constant. We are reminded that the places Marco Polo once visited are still very much alive, with their own ongoing stories and significance. Technical Description "Passage" is a blend of web-based technologies and real-time data integration. The foundation of the piece is a dynamic map interface powered by Leaflet.js, the open-source JavaScript library for interactive maps. At the heart of the interactive experience are the news feeds integrated from Google News RSS. Each location that Marco Polo visited is paired with a corresponding RSS feed, dynamically fetching the latest news articles related to that place. This real-time data integration ensures that the content is always current and relevant, creating a constantly evolving narrative. Accompanying images for each location are sourced from Unsplash. The images are loaded dynamically and randomly, creating unexpected juxtapositions of story and visuals. The choice of the "Great Vibes" font is to give the impression of Marco Polo’s own hand guiding the viewer through his journey.