The Memory Observatory at SXSW with Kodak Moments

This post is sponsored by Kodak Alaris as part of a Mom It Forward Blogger Network campaign.

What an incredible day it’s been! SXSW is here and my cute town is being overrun (welcomed of course) by all my favorite types of people: creators, DIYers, innovators, and brilliant brands seeking to launch new and forward thinking products. Like, Kodak Alaris for example. Kodak Alaris is here in Austin celebrating the launch of their new Kodak Moments App. An app that bridges the gap between digital and print storytelling and allows it’s users to create elevated meaningful and vibrant Moments. In an effort to depict the purpose and tone of the Kodak Moments App, Kodak Alaris created The Memory Observatory for SXSW for guests to engage in a thought-provoking, multi-sensory experience that explores memories and the meaning of Moments in the digital age.

I had the opportunity of going through the Observatory today and I’ll be honest, it was unlike anything I have experienced before! In fact, the experience was so powerful, I am still processing all of its features and intentions. It left such a resonating impression on me about the value and importance of not only collecting Moments, but reflecting on them and their importance. The experience asks you to choose a photo that is important to you and upload it to the Kodak Moment App. You are then taken inside a gorgeous birch wooden geometric structure (seen below…pictures really don’t do this thing justice, it’s beautiful) and asked questions about that photo. This was actually my favorite part of the experience. I was given the opportunity to reflect, with a stranger, on a memory that means the world to me. I was asked questions about how the photo made me feel, why I chose that particular photo, if the circumstances in the photo reminded me of any smells, if the photo reflects anything else that was occurring in my life at that time, etc. I’m typically a VERY private person, but for some reason, in this setting, it was so easy to open up and be vulnerable about that photo and my life. I didn’t know at the time, but my depictions of the photo were being audio recorded and when I entered the next room in the Observatory, I heard my voice playing. And not only that, this incredible geometric glassed room was emitting colors and odors reflective of my memory. I was able to sit on the floor, see my photo reflected on an angled glass ceiling, hear myself talk about my memory, all while being surrounded by colors and smells that remind me of that Moment. It was as if the importance of that memory or moment was realized with all my senses engaged. In modern slang, I had #allthefeels. As I mentioned, I left The Memory Observatory with a renewed passion for Moment collecting and reflecting and am so grateful I got the opportunity to experience it.

If you are in the Austin area or in town for SXSW, I TOTALLY 100% recommend you try The Memory Observatory out. You don’t need a badge to experience, it is open to the public. It’s located in the Austin Convention Center, Ballroom B and runs March 12 Noon-6pm, March 13-14 10am-6pm and March 15 10am-3pm. You won’t regret it. If you go through the Observatory, email me! I want to hear your thoughts about it.

And for more info on both the Kodaks Moments App and The Memory Obervatory, visit their social media sites:

FACEBOOK – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM

And look for a post in the nest few weeks with my report on the Kodak Moments App! I’ll be giving it a whirl and showing how you can use it to help create amazing Moment crafts for your home.