'The Quickening'
Researching Augmented Reality as an
immersive experience of multi-dimensionality
In 2022 I dedicated 6 months to the research and development of an all-new artistic medium that blends cutting-edge technology with my artistic practice. Augmented Reality as a medium is highly experimental and has existed only very recently; artworks that exist only in the digital dimension, but experienced by the audience through the 'looking-glass' of a hand-held device. The result is an immersive and highly surreal experience for the audience; an entity that is placed in space, can be seen, walked around, even heard - but does not exist on the physical dimension.
In this way, my research explored concepts of unseen realities, pushing concepts of multi-dimensionality merged with spiritual folklore; I have created a thin veil where ethereal beings or objects may be experienced and interacted with, but not touched.
I developed this medium through the experimentation of 3D artworks that were created using full-body movement and expression using a virtual reality set that tracked my hand movements and translated them into shapes and lines. Much like traditional sculpting or weaving, the artworks were made with my own physicality, but were purely digital creations.
These artworks were then developed using 3D programming. I used materials that were intentionally ethereal and glass-like; delicate and translucent. My intent was to create something that looked real but was also physically impossible - floating, spinning leaves, mandelbulbs, ribbons made out of crystal. The materials refracted and reflected the 'real' world but remained their own distinct shape.
Particle physicists talk about string theory and that there could be as many as 11 dimensions. My methods lean into my own imaginings of the concept that beings, entities or energies could exist on these planes. It is not a new idea to humans, almost every culture has folklore that explores the idea of unseen worlds and their relationship with the physical. However the materiality of capitalism and consumerist lore has created a complex relationship with 'spirituality' whilst also driving people into digital, nonphysical spaces even to their own detriment.
My hope is to use the digital world to create moments of acute wonder and contemplation, blending the physical reality with the unseen in such a way to ask the viewer; 'what beauty may exist that we cannot always experience with our physical senses?'
As a result of research, my pilot artworks were displayed as a digital experiential installation at The Hue and Cry Gallery in Geelong in November. People could explore the installation using a tablet and headphones.
I also collaborated with two local creatives to create a series of photographs - Geelong photographer Lauren May and artist/model Quinn Earthchild.
Next steps for this medium will include developing a platform for geo-located artworks that can only be experienced in physical locations using personal handheld devices. The concept to further blend reality with my ethereal 'world' will be strengthened with an element of exploration, a sense of space and play.
My hope is to also collaborate with a musician and first nation artist/s to create a body of work that relates to place, memory and energy using augmented reality as a medium for storytelling.
'Amazing. The painting based works add an extra layer of magic to your art and the placed sculptures really make you see a space in a new way'
Gallery audience member Nov 2022
The tools and research & development of this project was supported with huge thanks to by City of Greater Geelong, Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants for Covid Recovery.
'Essence'
'Essence' and 'Celeste'
2D animation as an
augmented art experience
I Have also been hard at work developing methodologies of activating 2D paintings and prints using AR technology with frame-by-frame hand drawn animation.
'Essence', an acrylic and posca painting on a skateboard, was exhibited both in the Hue and Cry Gallery in Geelong and Backwoods in Melbourne. I used layered animations and a widely accessible platform to full effect.
'Celeste' was inspired by my latest immersive installation at The National Wool Museum, and was a limited edition print created here in Geelong by Aeterna lab and likewise activated using AR technology.
The tools and research & development of this project was supported with huge thanks to by City of Greater Geelong, Arts, Culture and Heritage Grants for Covid Recovery.
