An iPhone application will accompany the City of Savannah’s latest documentation project and exhibition, “Ebb and Flow: Life & Community in Eastern Savannah.” The application uses a variety of features, including integrated Google maps and a QR Code Scanner to enable visitors to the “Ebb and Flow” exhibition at the Telfair Museums to access additional information related to exhibition pieces.

The application was developed by Smack Dab Studios along with the creative team that produced the Ebb and Flow publication.

 “We developed this app with two goals in mind — accessibility and preservation — ensuring that a large swath of citizens and visitors can experience Savannah in a new way,” said Michelle Hunter, project manager. “The project does a fine job of uncovering new voices and revealing old historic images that otherwise linger unseen by the general public.”

The iPhone app is a digest of the “Ebb and Flow” project’s Web site, savannahneighborhoods.org. The QR Code Scanner feature enables patrons visiting the exhibition to scan wall labels and access information explaining the importance of the item displayed. App users can also access a map of East Savannah, click on a red Google marker, and view supplementary imagery and verbiage related to the project area. “Ebb and Flow” is available for download on the App Store.

“The use of emerging technologies is natural given consumer behavior, specifically, the growing use of smartphones to find information. The collaboration between the Telfair, the city and Smackdab Studios demonstrates how creative professionals can devise applications for existing processes while expanding the artist’s ability to impact and serve their audience,” said Hunter.

The “Ebb and Flow” Exhibition and publication is the result of a City-sponsored documentation project.  The publication will be unveiled with a book signing and reception on May 19 at 5 p.m. at Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center, 207 W. York Street. The event is free of admission charges and open to the general public.

Other Ebb and Flow related programming includes:

The Ebb and Flow exhibition, which will be displayed from May 7 and July 17, 2011 at the Jepson Center, will incorporate historic images and ephemera.

The Ebb and Flow lecture series will feature Dr. Martha L. Keber lecturing about “Keep off Jim Crow Cars:” Streetcar Boycotts in Savannah on May 25, at 12:30 pm at the Jepson Center and Dr. Charles J. Elmore moderating a panel discussion entitled, Great Expectations: Baby Boomers in Eastern Savannah on May 26 at 6 pm at the Jepson Center.

A June 2 screening of the Ebb and Flow documentary that involved area young people in the pre- and post- production phases.