Augmented reality art exhibit launches in downtown Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Who couldn’t use a bit of an escape from the day-to-day reality of the pandemic?

The Vancouver Mural Festival is trying something new this winter, setting up an augmented reality exhibit that can be enjoyed while taking a safe, socially distanced stroll through the city.

“We’re doing this as a way for people to get out of their houses, enjoy downtown, walk around and take in some of the sights and some of the art, and some of the talent we have in the city, while we’re still in this pandemic. So, obviously, this is something people can do safely on their own time,” says Executive Director Andrea Curtis.

“It’ll be up for three weeks so it allows for a lot of time to physically distance, and to make sure that you’re going at a time when you feel safe.”

All people need to be able to take in the artwork is their phones.

“A lot of people have heard about virtual reality, where you put a headset on. This isn’t like that, although it is digital 3D work. All you need to enjoy any of this artwork is your phone, you scan the QR code and then it pops up on your phone in 3D,” she says.

“Because this is so new, we wanted to have nice, big physical markers. So we have these giant sculptures, they’re about eight feet tall and they look like Tetris blocks, and all you have to do is download the Vancouver Mural Festival app, look on the Winter Arts map, and you’ll be able to scout out all of the different pieces.”

Today’s the day! Catch Vancouver Mural Festival in Vancouver’s downtown core until Feb.28th. Download their mobile app…

Posted by IM4 Media Lab on Friday, February 12, 2021

Many of the 17 artists featured are local, with some of the work produced in partnership with the IM4 Media Lab.

“You’re going to be able to see incredible artworks from people all over the world, everything from animated dinosaurs to giant colourful spindles, abstract artwork, and a lot of Indigenous pieces.”

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