Intro to Augmented Reality and VMF Winter Arts
As you may have heard, from February 12-28, we’re bringing VMF Winter Arts to the city, and transforming public spaces across Vancouver’s core into interactive, open-air galleries featuring Augmented Reality (AR) art.
VMF is continually seeking to bring new creative experiences to public space in our city. Since we can't paint murals in the rain, we're turning to digital technology art to safely engage communities during the winter. VMF Winter Arts was created as an opportunity for Vancouverites to explore the city, discover new art, enjoy the urban outdoors, and support our communities (artists, local businesses, and you)!
Augmented Reality, often abbreviated as AR, is quickly becoming a popular technology trend, but “what exactly is AR?” Simply put, “AR lets us see the real-life environment right in front of us—trees swaying in the park, dogs chasing balls, kids playing soccer—with a digital augmentation overlaid on it”. So, when you visit a VMF Winter Arts location and view an AR piece through your phone, you might see a colourful dinosaur hopping around in Alley Oop, a beautiful abstract object at MNP Tower that you can interact with, or a pre-existing VMF2020 mural suddenly coming to life! The experience is like an interactive mash-up of the physical and virtual world!
Sounds interesting… but are you still wondering how exactly you can attend VMF Winter Arts?
All you have to do is grab your phone and hit the streets:
Find the AR locations by (1) Downloading the VMF mobile app, or (2) Downloading the digital map from vanmuralfest.ca
Look for VMF Winter Arts signage/maps in plazas across the downtown core, plus our secondary site at the Great Northern Way Campus (outside Centre for Digital Media and Emily Carr University).
Scan the QR codes (on signs at the AR sites) with your phone camera (or a QR scanning app).
Select Instagram or Facebook to activate the filter.
Share your photo/video on social media with the hashtag #VMFWinterArts and tag @vanmuralfest (bonus: this also makes you eligible to win prizes; watch for contest details on social media!).
We’ve also partnered with the Vancouver Public Library to host a series of free online public workshops and discussions to highlight participating artists, and offer opportunities for dialogue and connection around the artwork. You will have the opportunity to watch and participate in these free online Discussions and Workshops (more details coming soon).
What about COVID safety measures?
VMF Winter Arts takes place in various open, outdoor public spaces. All art can be viewed day or night with your own personal devices. This enables exploration on your own time, with your own household or core social bubble, while keeping a safe 2m distance from others . We ask everyone to follow all BC Public Health Orders around COVID-19.
In total there will be 24 AR artwork experiences by local and international artists throughout Vancouver that can be found using our free VMF Mobile App or digital map (coming soon!).
We hope this helps! We’ve also put together this VMF Winter Arts FAQ page to help you with any other questions you may have about AR and how to participate in the event.
Please note: As recommended by BC’s provincial health officials, gatherings of any kind and unessential travel to the VCH and Fraser Health regions are not recommended at this time. Please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing and frequent hand washing. If you are sick, please stay home.
Sources:
What Is Augmented Reality? (2019, December 18). The Franklin Institute. https://www.fi.edu/what-is-augmented-reality
