As we live in an increasingly tech-savvy world, the marriage of augmented reality and art is unavoidable. Some creatives remain committed to traditional methods of making art, such as oil and canvas or stone and bronze, while others experiment with innovative materials and techniques. Here is an examination of the growing place of augmented reality in art and some must-see examples of such works.

How Do Artists Combine Augmented Reality and Art?

The appeal of augmented reality (AR) for artists lies in its interactivity and immersive nature. By adding AR elements to their work, creatives can engage their audiences in deeper, multi-dimensional experiences of embracing art. AR can be employed in the setup of interactive installations, with digital elements overlaying on physical artworks, or in the interactive street art and murals that come to life with AR equipment.

Other forms of integrating AR into art are virtual galleries and museums, where visitors can explore digital artwork in a real-world space and consume additional content related to traditional art objects. AR is also commonly used in live shows and performances, with holographic visuals adding to the interactivity of audience experiences.

Examples of Using AR in Art

Here are a couple of examples of AR-enhanced art that you may want to explore.

• “Future Relics” by Daniel Arsham. This series of unique sculptures was created by the contemporary NYC-based artist Daniel Arsham. Arsham used AR to bring his works to life and visualize a highly detailed process of their “decay,” allowing the exploration of hidden layers of meaning.
• “Hyper-Reality” by Keiichi Matsuda. “Hyper-Reality” is a futuristic film that examines the potential AR-dominated future of humanity. It presents a chaotic image of digital interfaces, gamification elements in everyday life, and holographic advertisements to show how AR intrudes into physical spaces and starts to dominate human experiences.
• FRAMELESS. FRAMELESS is a fully immersive AR museum in London where world-famous works of art have been digitalized to offer an unprecedented interactive experience. Visitors can step into the paintings to explore the background, interact with canvases, and trace the movement of the brush as the eternal masterpieces come to life.
• “Unmoored” by Mel Chin. “Unmoored” was exhibited in Times Square, New York, in 2018. It represents an AR app for a mixed-reality experience, allowing the users to explore a virtual flood. The work was meant to highlight the dangers of climate change.

Wishing to learn more about augmented reality and art? Check out our other blog posts on popular art digitalization trends and innovative artworks.