How can we preserve the stories of the past? Artist and creative technologist Adrian Jones answered this important question with Looking Glass. In 2021, Adrian began developing an innovative app to archive Black life in Pittsburgh. Using augmented reality, Looking Glass brings the rich stories of Pittsburgh’s Black history to life and helps its users imagine alternative futures.
Adrian’s work has been recognized by Collective Action School, NPR, the Technical.ly Awards, and the New Museum of Contemporary Art’s cultural incubator, NEW INC. Today, Adrian has kindly taken the time to answer our questions about his work and the importance of remembering history.
Adrian Jones. Photo: Karlie Rae Photography.
Can you describe the idea behind Looking Glass. What inspired you to create it?
In early 2021, I joined an online program called Collective Action School. For twelve weeks, I learned from community organizers and explored creative forms of protest with other folks who worked in tech. Almost immediately, this invitation to create sparked a vision of a lens that could reveal buried stories in city neighborhoods.
The inspiration wasn’t initially clear, but with reflection, I realized that the idea had emerged from three core experiences. Diving into archives to learn about my family’s history, discovering the work of the photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris, and spending time with elders here in Pittsburgh had all set a foundation for Looking Glass.
My seed of an idea became more refined and expansive as I shared it with folks in my community. Now I see Looking Glass becoming a full platform and travel assistant for people to discover and celebrate Pittsburgh’s rich Black history.
What kind of research went into developing the app's content?
In hip-hop, there’s a practice called “digging,” and it’s an important aspect of the art form. The earliest acts of digging took place wherever a beatmaker could find vinyl records and someone might spend hours sifting through a collection just to catch the perfect sound. By “sampling,” they could then repurpose that gem of a sound to create something entirely new.
I think of my research in the same way. Whether it’s an archive of photographs, oral history recordings, or newspaper clippings, I see every collection of stories as a treasure trove. When I pore over archival material, I’m jumping down rabbit holes to discover a new story or fill out a gap in my knowledge. The imagery I find can also function as a starting point to construct a 3D model.
“People are in a sense archives as well–we all hold stories. I’m always seeking out opportunities to hear these stories through conversations. Not all information finds its way into formal records, and so building relationships has been a fantastic way to discover and map overlooked stories.”
The Looking Glass augmented reality lens in action. Photo courtesy of Adrian Jones.
How has your background as an artist helped you during this project?
I’ve always loved experimenting with creative tools, and my experience playing in different mediums has certainly helped me realize the varied components of Looking Glass. However, I don’t define my artistry just by my skill with a tool. I subscribe to the view that an artist is just someone who is willing to express their unique perspective. I believe Looking Glass really was able to take shape because I had been doing the work to find my voice.
What was the most surprising thing that you learned while creating the app?
One amazing story that comes to mind is that of the Harriet Tubman Guild. The guild was formed in 1915 under the leadership of Winona Idell Lincoln. For over a hundred years, its members, all Black women, have leveraged their abilities and resources to serve their community. In our current moment, the availability of affordable housing is a pressing concern in nearly every city. When I learned that the guild took the initiative to develop accessible housing for seniors in 1969, I was deeply inspired. It’s stories like these that affirm my conviction that there is so much for us to learn and draw on from our past.
How do you think AR can make history more accessible and engaging for younger generations?
With each passing moment, the gulf between the past and present widens. This inherent distance can naturally make history feel inaccessible. What excites me about augmented reality is that it can help bridge this gap by bringing elements of the past into the present. I’m hopeful that adding this dimension to stories can deepen our understanding of a place and help younger folks form different relationships with history.
Adrian Jones and attendees of the Looking Glass launch event. Photo: Kitoko Chargois.
What do you think is lost when history is forgotten or ignored?
None of us exist in a vacuum. Our present moment is a byproduct of everything that happened before it. History helps us answer the essential question of “how did we get here?” With the answers to this question, we can work towards addressing past wrongs and chart a path towards justice and equity.
“We also look to history to help us understand who we are as individuals and communities. Each one of us is a leaf on a family tree that’s been shaped by the preceding leaves and branches. Amongst the collections of trees are shared practices and traditions. By protecting and preserving our histories, we safeguard the information that fundamentally informs our identities.”
What advice would you give to kids who want to learn more about their own family or community history?
Working on Looking Glass has often made me think about my younger self. As a kid, I spent so many moments just soaking up stories from the elders around me. Grown folks passed stories to me at church, dinner tables, and backyard barbecues. I was a curious kid, and I think people could sense that I was happy to listen and learn.
If you’re a kid who wants to know more about the people around you, I’d encourage you to be open about your curiosity. Think about your own experiences and use that as a starting point in a conversation. You could ask questions like “Where did you grow up?”, “What games did you play as a kid?” or “What did you enjoy about school?”. Basic questions like these can help ground you in someone’s story, and they open the door to learning much more.
If a kid wanted to make their own AR app about history, what is the first step they should take?
A great first step would be to check out your local library. The librarians there can help you find materials to support your research, and that will be important as you determine your area of focus. Regarding the technology component, I think game engines are a great way to learn programming and 3D modeling–both of which are necessary for an AR app. The Unity engine in particular has resources for parents and kids to learn those elements together, and their software supports creating AR apps.
Are there any stories or figures from history that you wish you had known about when you were a kid?
I would have loved learning more local history growing up. I’m originally from Harrisburg, PA, and as a kid, I remember hearing people speak about my hometown in very negative ways. It wasn’t uncommon to hear Harrisburg described as an unsafe and undesirable city, and those stories always clashed with my lived experience. Even though I was young, I could feel that there was an underlying intent to pass some judgment on the city’s Black residents by association. If I had been better connected to Harrisburg’s history, there would’ve been a thicker barrier to protect me from the noise. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I started to learn how segregation had been designed into the region through real policies and contract provisions. This knowledge affirmed what I sensed as a kid, and it motivates me now.
“Understanding the history of the spaces we occupy helps us counter harmful narratives that have been built on falsehoods and misrepresentations.”
What do you hope users will take away from their experience with Looking Glass?
My hope for Looking Glass is that it helps people appreciate that history isn’t irrelevant or lifeless. So much of our past has been obscured or intentionally erased. We all benefit from reaching back and piecing together stories to better understand ourselves and our surroundings. This practice of remembering, I believe, can help us chart a path towards a better future.
Past and present meet at 40.461142, -79.926171. Photo: Adrian Jones, Charles "Teenie" Harris / Carnegie Museum of Art.
Young Historians! The next time you’re in Pittsburgh, don’t forget to check out Looking Glass. As you explore the city, you can uncover the artifacts, photos, and videos of Pittsburgh’s vibrant Black history.