au Design and KDDI Corporation, two telecommunication companies from Japan, have joined together to develop “AR x ART” by augART, a mobile app designed for iOS systems. The app allows you to enjoy contemporary artworks in AR through your iPhone.
AR × ART is a mobile app designed to intrigue and engage viewers through virtual interaction with various art. The app uses AR which enables artwork to appear in various places where the artwork is available. Your iPhone’s camera is all you need to observe these artworks.
Currently, there are three art experiences that you can enjoy using the app. When you start the app you will see three available experiences, PixCell_AR, AR x ART COLLECTION, and White Deer_AR. These experiences were developed in collaboration with Japanese sculptor Kohei Nawa.
1. PixCell_AR
In one of the experiences, called “PixCell_AR,” Nawa’s app transforms people and objects into a sculpture made from pixels (or bubbles). Nawa is famous for his artwork featuring animals such as the white deer as pixels or bubbles. In this experience, Nawa tries to transform everyday objects and people into one of his own artworks. This is one of Nawa’s representative art series available in real time. The PixCell_AR feature will be available sometime in December.
2. AR x ART COLLECTION
In “AR x ART COLLECTION”, Nawa’s work is reproduced in AR. Works can be made to appear in various places such as in your room or on the go. The size and orientation of the work can be adjusted and multiple identical works can be placed in a space at the same time.
You can also read the description of each work from the art selection screen. According to the explanation in the app, the deer can be made to appear on your screen as if it was lost in a digital world. It almost seems like the deer is out of place in this digital space, but this is what the artist intended.
- White Deer_AR
In the “White Deer_AR” experience, you can enjoy Nawa’s work called “White Deer” by going to a specific location. This particular AR artwork is available in many locations. For example, the White Deer_AR feature is available at GINZA 456 (Created by KDDI) in Tokyo. At GINZA 456, onlookers can experience both the physical White Deer sculpture by Nawa and also the AR version.
Using the AR x ART mobile app, users can activate the “White Deer_AR” feature to view the White Deer in various forms.
The AR x ART mobile app will also be compatible with the new “au 5G experience.” In February 2021, a new feature will be available where the white deer will appear to move. This feature will only work where au’s 5G network is available.
The White Deer_AR feature is also available at Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, GYRE, Hotel Anteroom Kyoto / Naha, White Deer (actual) exhibition area in Hagihama, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture (No entry from November 27, reopening time undecided), and Shibuya’s PARCO (roof area).
Masamichi Toyama, President and CEO of KDDI Corporation, commented, “I am excited to be able to participate in new art initiatives that utilize the new 5G network.”
“Art was originally 3D, such as sculptures and other objects,” says Toyama. Over time, we began to draw on canvas and other materials changing our view from “3D to 2D.” Toyama sees “AR as an entirely new medium” similar to our use of clay, paper, and canvas in the past, we will eventually see a shift to a new medium that is largely digital. “Furthermore, I don’t know the qualities required of artists, but I can envision people will experience art differently. Going to museums like before, will be replaced with a modified or augmented experience that is very different. There will be a fusion of landscape and art in everyday life” says Toyama.
The AR x ART mobile app is compatible with iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max / iPad Pro (2020), which has a LiDAR-equipped function. The Android version is under consideration for support in the near future.
Currently, the app is available in Japanese.
Original Japanese article: https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1290865.html#325_l.jpg