CONCEPT

In an imagined world where the gods and religions of old were allowed to progress to the modern day, X-VOTO is Blade Runner meets Neil Gaiman’s American Gods meets speakeasy – neo-pagan neon-noir episodic automat experiences that are contemporary temples to different deities. Utilizing mythology as a modular overlay to promote cultural appreciation within a gamified, transient, speakeasy environment set in and around major metropolitan areas, X-VOTO is a series of pop-up immersive themed restaurants that seek to provide any curious and intrepid adult with a chance to transcend the norm, even if only for a few hours.

 

GUERILLA MARKETING

Gamification and interaction with X-VOTO begins with the guerilla marketing campaign. Votive shrines, posters, and graffiti that reflect the chosen deity will be scattered throughout the city and surrounding metro area several weeks prior to the event. 

 

Down a secluded street or alley, a passerby may notice a tableau like a small shrine. Amidst the candles are a QR code and spray cans, tempting passersby to pick one up and try their hand at street art. But these are no ordinary spray cans – the base cylinder falls away to reveal a small sculpted jaguar key attached to the cap. Inside the can is an invitation to download an app and enter a story.

The Spray Can Keys, uniquely crafted to reflect the visiting deity, will be incorporated into the marketing shrines and are meant to be taken by adventurous early adaptors. For those that come later, QR codes adjacent to the tableaus will allow the curious to connect with the app.

INTRO TO THE APP

The app is the first step in the immersive narrative, purposefully not revealing that this is for a themed experience, instead only offering the description of “Traveling Speakeasy Temples” devoted to mythological deities. Next it invites users to join in the experience to become a Demigod, earning points towards prizes and exclusive events by using a “Custom AR Graffiti Tag”.

 

Users are prompted to create their own Graffiti Tag as a symbolic logo and then non-destructively “tag” via AR anywhere they like. The tag is then embedded with a geolocation feature that remembers where it is to properly reproduce its location and orientation for future users that come to view the graffiti. App users can ‘Like’, or, as it is called in the X-VOTO app, “Worship” the tag as a sign of appreciation. The more Worshipers, the more points the initial tagger gets towards rewards and exclusive experiences.

 

After earning the requisite number of points, users will be sent an invitation, or be “Summoned”, to join a deity at a Reliquary, as each individual pop-up restaurant is called, that is coming to a city near them. Reliquaries are set in or near major cities, temporarily occupying vacant spaces to create a sense of surprise and transformation of an ordinary place to an extraordinary experience while playing on the allure of transience. This particular invite is to a Reliquary temple coming to Miami devoted to the Waterlily Jaguar, a prominent Mayan deity. Once a reservation is made, Worshipers, as the guests to the Reliquaries are called, will be introduced to the Oracle of Delphi, a combination AI and live chat concierge that will guide guests through the experience as there are no staff members to interact with – ever.

 

ARRIVAL

Prior to their arrival, the user creating the reservation would need to enter the names and phone numbers of those in their party, or “Congregation” as X-VOTO calls them, prompting everyone to download the app and report any allergies, dietary restrictions or other accommodations they may need to have an enjoyable experience. This way that Congregation’s particular booth would be modified to accommodate a wheelchair prior to their arrival if need be or guests with allergies will be alerted to which menu items would not be suitable to them.

Once checked in to confirm everyone is physically present, Congregations wait outside of the building under the covered walkway. Each Congregation is summoned individually to enter with an Entrance Code. The doors to the building are locked with a magnetic clamp spanning the handles of the double doors. The unique Entrance Code is typed into a keypad on the clamp and the lock releases. Though the doors are secured via magnetic lock from the outside, if pressure were applied to the inside of the door, the lock immediately disengages to promote an easy escape in case of emergency.

 

CHECK-IN

Worshipers entering the Reliquary are greeted by a large central arched doorway flanked on either side by three Basins set between a pair of glowing neon columns.­ Following the last prompt received by Delphi, the Congregation approaches a Basin. 

 

Messages appear to mystically float up through the water of the Basin, and each member of the Congregation is instructed to select the type of blessing they would like to receive from the Waterlily Jaguar. 

 

They are then issued the corresponding Milagros bracelet containing an RFID chip. Delphi then sends the Worshipers a message to link their Milagros with their app in order to earn points, or blessings, and use the bracelet as a means of payment.

 

After the Congregation have all received their Milagros and while they wait to enter, Delphi encourages them to use this time to link their Milagros with their app. The Congregation is then summoned with other groups to proceed through the double doors in the center of the room.

Depending on which of the hinged doors behind the large central niche doors open, Worshipers will be directed down a dark hallway to the left (if the right hinged door opens and acts as a barrier, forcing guests to turn left) or right (if the left hinged door opens, blocking the left hallway) into one of two PreShow rooms. A projection mapped animation of a graffiti Oracle of Delphi welcomes Worshipers to the Waterlily Jaguar’s Reliquary. Delphi introduces the Waterlily Jaguar and his place in Mayan mythology as a god of transformation and rebirth who rose like the Sun to walk the earth during the day and set every evening, braving the dangers of the Underworld at night.

Delphi then introduces the Congregations to their main quest: earning the blessings of the Waterlily Jaguar. Worshipers are to gather Votive Objects, earning them through games and puzzles scattered around the temple. The more Votive Objects to offer the deity at the end of the night, the more points they will accrue and the greater the blessing they will receive.

 

ENTERING THE RELIQUARY

Proceeding from the preshow into the main body of the temple, Worshipers are greeted by an undulating water pattern on the floor cast by gobos set above the illuminated lily pads hanging from the ceiling which have a semi-translucent center rimmed with LED neon strips. Each circular booth boasts a semi-transparent curtain draped above it, making them look like a row of columns receding into the space, culminating at a large niche housing a statue of the Waterlily Jaguar. Several columns are topped with giant glowing waterlily capitals, and all of the booth bases are enrobed in a bas relief of traditional Mayan waterlily illustrations – creating the illusion that the entire space is an underwater temple.

 

Delphi guides the Congregations to their seats via an in-app message. She instructs each individual Congregation to proceed to the booth glowing with their assigned color.

BOOTHS & CENOTES

When all of the members of the Congregation are detected in the booth thanks to the Milagros’ RFID chips, the aquatic centerpiece, or Cenote, comes to life. The Cenote introduces itself as a deep sinkhole or cave filled with water that is common throughout Mesoamerica and is considered to be the sacred gateway to the Underworld by many ancient pre-Columbian cultures, particularly the Maya. Concealed beneath a thin layer of water is a screen designed to deliver messages to guests in the animated form of text scrawled across ancient relics and Votive Objects that float up from the depths of the Cenote. 

 

After it’s introduction, a chat option with the Cenote appears in the app. Worshipers can text questions to the Cenote, as they can still do with Delphi, to learn more about the menu, ask where the bathrooms are, inquire about the history of the Maya and anything else they may need during their time in the Reliquary.

 

Just a few Congregations at a time are summoned to proceed to the automat to select their food.

 

OFFERINGS SHRINE AUTOMAT

Because there are no visible staff and the experience is meant to be a choose-your-own-adventure, guests select their food from a colonnade of column-shaped automats, similar to a temperature controlled vending machine. Worshipers scan the QR code in the upper right corner of their chosen compartment to get the nutritional and pricing information of that item, then hold the RFID in their Milagros bracelet up to the long panel button beneath the QR code to the right of their desired dish in order to pay. After removing their choice from the open cabinet, the door will close, and the next item in line will be pushed forward to the first position behind the door, just as items move forward in a traditional vending machine once an object is dispensed. All menu items will be small plates prepared by a local chef who is of the culture of the deity.

 

GRAFFITI WALL & RELIQUARY IDOL

Surrounding the 12’ high neon niche featuring the statue of the Waterlily Jaguar is the interactive Graffiti Wall that allows Worshipers to use fake spray cans to create digital graffiti using projection mapping technology. A limited color palette that reflects that particular Reliquary and helps unify the disparate artworks is available with two colors, namely at this temple a blood-maroon and metallic gold, that are exclusive to those who found a Spray Can Key. Guests can create as many graffiti works as they like, layering over previous artwork just like in real life street art.

 

In the center of the Graffiti Wall and at the central terminus of the colonnade of booths, stands The Idol. UV markers are available to draw on, tag, tattoo and otherwise adorn the sculpture, which Worshipers have 360° access to by walking around the glowing platform the Idol rests on. The niche emits a soft glow, making the UV markings appear luminous. The Idol is the actual reliquary in the Reliquary, containing a piece of the deity that is only revealed under a specially activated blacklight. In this case, it is the spiral eye of the Waterlily Jaguar, iconographically marking him as a resident of the Underworld.

 

COLLECTING OFFERINGS

After Worshipers return to their booths and have enjoyed their tapas, they receive another prompt from their Cenote reminding them to explore the Reliquary and collect Votive Objects to ensure they earn the favor of the Waterlily Jaguar.

 

The two Ancillary Chambers on either side of the Offerings Shrine automat room contain nearly all of the puzzles and games. The Enlightened Action symbol of the hand with an eye radiating light in its palm marks the location of an interactive game element. Within each of these symbols is an RFID chip that recognizes the specific RFID in the Milagros of the user and activates the game or puzzle, beginning any sound, visual or Milagros vibration sequence associated with that task. That activity is then linked to the Worshiper so they may receive the appropriate amount of points or Votive Objects in their app upon completion. 

 

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

If Worshipers earn a large amount of points through completing AR Graffiti Tags prior to arrival, solving a significant number of puzzles or games in the Reliquary, spending money on a sizable quantity of menu items or a combination of those activities, they can earn an invitation to the Inner Sanctum, home to X-VOTO’s Exclusive Experiences. Inside the Inner sanctum are three levels of exclusivity, access to which is predicated on earned points. 

 

The Tier One Exclusive Experience includes professional local Tattoo Artists to give free tattoos of the line illustrations of the Milagros available at that Reliquary. (Original drawings of the Milagros and graffiti with images sourced from Pinterest)

In Tier Two, a professional graffiti artist will teach Worshipers some basic tips to making graffiti-style art using professional paint markers as there is likely not proper ventilation for spray paint. Worshipers can then contribute to a giant canvas painted by the artist that will later be auctioned off on the X-VOTO app with all proceeds going to a charity related to that particular Reliquary’s deity.

In the third and final level of the Inner Sanctum is a live fortune teller from the culture of the deity that will perform a reading in the traditional style of that culture. 

 

 

DEPARTURE CEREMONY

The time has come to give your offerings to the Waterlily Jaguar. Worshipers’ Milagros buzz and the receive a text from Delphi that their 3-hour stay at the Reliquary is almost up and they must return to their Cenote for the Departure Ceremony. Prompted to open the new Departure Ceremony button in the app, an AR image of the Worshiper’s first Votive Offering will appear on the table outside of the Cenote, and they must flick each offering into the water. 

 

The Waterlily Jaguar calculates the worthiness of each Worshiper and sends his prediction for that person’s future along with his blessing. The members of the Congregation proceed one by one until everyone has received their personal message from the Waterlily Jaguar.

Worshipers receive a personalized thank you text from Delphi that also includes a map of where to find the exit, which is at the opposite end of the temple from where they came in. The overhead lighting and gobos creating the moving water effect on the floor will all be dimmed except for the path leading out of the Reliquary.

 

 

BEHIND THE MAGIC

The masterplan and setup are to scale and set in an actual venue: 100 NW 25th St UNIT 105, Miami, FL 33127. The diagonal lines indicate the back of house area where food is stored, but likely not prepared as this is a temporary space in an a-typical building.

 

A key component of X-VOTO is that it is an ephemeral, limited time engagement. Its modular furniture and props support the pop-up business model by making transportation and set up relatively easy for transient staff and creating a greater sense of urgency for customers to experience it. The furniture and props must adapt to fit any space and be customizable to fit any theme. My original furniture design consists of four unique pieces that can be combined into an endless array of seating arrangements. As their typical arrangement will be booths that are meant to mimic columns, the contour of the seating was designed to look like an inverted base of a column.

The furniture pieces are aligned with magnets and secured by braces that lock the bases of the two abutting segments together.

 

 

OTHER TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS

 

LONGEVITY

Looking to the future, two other deities and locations were selected for Reliquaries that would take place around the same time as the Waterlily Jaguar Reliquary in Miami.

The New York City location is The 1896,211-215 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 a quintessential 19^th century Industrial Revolution era factory with slight dystopian dilapidation support the X-VOTO narrative.

Loki, the infamous trickster of Norse mythology, is the chosen deity for the New York Reliquary. The aesthetic for Loki will be combining ropes and knots into sinuous forms reminiscent of the flowing carvings typical of Viking archeology and Celtic Knots. According to ledged, Loki invented the first net, and some scholars believe his name may mean “spider” or “weaver” which all ties in with the idea that Loki was a weaver of tall tales, lies, and deception meant to trap the unsuspecting. 

 

(Original sketch of Loki with moodboard of images sourced from Pinterest) 

(Original sketches of Fenrir and Jörmungandr design elements with images sourced from The 1896’s website)

(Moodboard of images sourced from Pinterest) 

(Images sourced from the Millwork’s website)

The Los Angeles Reliquary will be devoted to Inari, or Inari Ōkami, Japanese Shinto goddess of fertility, agriculture, and worldly success. Her chosen location is the Millwick, 800 E 4th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Inari’s Reliquary will continue this sense of duality by combining ancient Japanese materials and imagery with an anime cyberpunk overlay, basically combining Kyoto with Tokyo.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your time and critiques!

 

Devon Lee

Themed Entertainment MFA