Ghosts of a Chance: A Story of Spirits October 3, 2008

Ghosts of a Chance: Catch a Falling Star (Predictor of Imminent Doom). Ghosts of a Chance Contributor, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2008.GOAC.2.6

Georgina Bath is the Interpretive Programs Manager for the Luce Foundation Center for American Art, our visible storage facility. Last month the Luce Foundation Center launched Ghosts of a Chance, a creative initiative that calls for audience participation on a grand scale.

In September, SAAM began working with two student curators, Daisy Fortunis and Daniel Libbe, to create an interactive exhibition called Ghosts of a Chance.

We have invited the participants in the game to create and send in artifacts for the exhibition. Each artifact unlocks part of a story, the story of Daisy and Daniel and their 150-year-old spirit guides. Spirit guides want freedom from their half-lives of being neither living nor safely dead. Here are some of the artifacts we hope will give the Museum its freedom from the chaos these interlopers are causing.

The first requirement, for a necklace, was relatively straightforward, but subsequent requests have certainly challenged the players! One called for people to create a Predictor of Imminent Doom, and submissions varied from an Office Supplies Fortune Teller made from paper clips, a magnet, and a hanging file folder, to a painting of a fortune cookie that reveals an ominous message when held under a black light. Our favorite from this round (pictured here) was the entry from Jenny Klostermeyer, who crafted an innovative predictor inspired by a popular childhood activity.

The next challenge was perhaps even more obscure as it asked players to create "a replica of something you desire but know you cannot have." We found one entry particularly moving, and that was wish you were here by Helene S. Taira. Helene chose to illustrate her grandmother, who passed away, by crafting a delicate paper sculpture from images of her family and colors that are special to her. We found it inspiring that someone would interpret the admittedly ambiguous requirements of the Ghosts of a Chance project in such a personal way.

Once all the artifacts have been submitted, the game will conclude with a five-hour event on October 25. The game will start with easy quests designed for players of all ages and progress to more and more difficult challenges. As part of a series of quests they will hunt for clues, test their luck, break codes, and confront spirits while exploring the museum. Players will use their wits, curiosity, and creativity to save the museum once and for all from the restless spirit guides.

• Ghosts of a Chance, ARG, Luce Foundation Center for American Art, American Art,
  Smithsonian American Art Museum