See a spectral world at the zoo

Immersive 'Ghosts in the Machine' turns phones into a gateway to the afterlife.

- TODD MARTENS

MOBILE game "Ghosts in the Machine" uses the old zoo site to tell a haunting, immersive tale.

The remains of the original Griffith Park Zoo are imbued with memories of the past.

Forgotten animal pens, decaying cages and stony backdrops now sit in various states of abandonment.

It is, in other words, a prime location for a haunted narrative.

"Ghost in the Machine: The Old Zoo" is just that, a site-specific interactive experience in which specters come to life via our mobile phones. In the story, our devices become a gateway to another world — or, rather, a halfway point between our universe and the afterlife. We'll see visions of a medium, hear fragmented remembrances and explore a trail while discovering a tale that feels like an intimate glimpse into a grief-stricken past. And we'll learn a little bit of Griffith Park history along the way.

The augmented reality project is the vision of Koryn Wicks, a trained dancer and choreographer who has created her own immersive entertainment pieces while working in the broader theme park space. The project is being remounted Friday and Sunday afternoons at Griffith Park to coincide with “Ghosts in the Machine” being named a finalist for an award with IndieCade, a once in-person independent game festival that now exists primarily online.

"Ghosts in the Machine" exists as an app in a testing phase, hence the reason for the event-like approach to letting guests experience it. Wicks will be stationed outside the old zoo’s location for about two each hours each day, facilitating downloads and answering questions about the self-guided experience.