SIX EMPTY SHOPS, SIX CREATIVES, SIX NEW GALLERIES...
A ground-breaking augmented reality exhibition within the streets of the city. You’ll never look at shop windows in quite the same way again…
A WINDOW TO REALITY
A Window to Reality is a public art project that is turning town centre shop windows into a walk-by augmented reality (AR) gallery.
The project demonstrates how new technologies, collaboration and fresh thinking can unlock public spaces as hybrid commercial and creative locations for the betterment of all.
Engaging directly with the decline of town centre shopping the project repurposes the windows of disused shops. The windows are turned into portals for viewing art. Through this project the streets of the city become an alternative, curated venue for broader, unexpected exposure to the arts.
HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS
The viewer is presented with an artwork, the portrait and information about the artist. When they point their mobile device at the artwork, an AR layer allows them to see the creation of the work with an audio commentary by the artist.
By pointing a digital device with the Graffio Arts app at the art on the windows and extra layer of reality appears.
Viewers are shown the artist creating the work with an audio description by the artist. Viewers are offered a glimpse of creativity often reserved for a gallery space as they go about their daily lives. The combination of convenience and the exposure to the creative practice of artists seeks to flatten the learning curve often associated with engagement and the understanding of the arts.
“The project demonstrates how new technologies, collaboration and fresh thinking can unlock public spaces as hybrid commercial and creative locations for the betterment of all.”
UNUSUAL SUSPECTS MEET THE SELECTED CREATIVES
Six creatives across the arts spectrum have been selected for the project. The selection was based on the quality of their work as well as taking into consideration the potential help that extra exposure could add to their developing careers and creative practice.
Each of the six creatives were given the opportunity to label themselves, to create a persona for their performance, a way that they felt they should be identified to the public. On the following pages are a glimpse of the window banners of three of the six creatives.
We have chosen a selection of creatives at different points within their career and worked with them to deliver a piece of work that fits within the scope of the project but is also flexible enough to fit their developing practice. We aim to showcase them in a way that engages viewers and offers an insight into the creative process.
AGATA TOMASZEK
THE TYPOGRAPHER
TAYLER FISHER
THE MIXED MEDIA ARTIST
LIAM PROUDMAN
THE DOODLER
KRIS TRIGG
THE POP ARTIST
MONO
THE GRAFFITI WRITER
JAY CLARK
THE SCULPTOR
VIEWING THE EXHIBITIONS
The city window installations will only be available for a limited time (Winter 2019- Spring 2020). The details for the location of each is listed below accompanied by a video mock-up that simulates the high street viewers experience.
THE EXHIBITIONS
Installation 001
Kris Trigg recently completed his piece and his work is now viewable for a limited period ( Winter 2019 /early 2020 only ) The old Burtons 19-21 Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB
Installation 002
A Window to Reality #002 was from @Mistabreakfast AKA Mono, also known as Leigh Drummond. You can view Mono's work at: The old Poundland, Loughborough for Winter 2019/20 only.
Installation 004
Installation 003
A Window to Reality #003 was from Taylor Fisher from Modern Painters, New Decorators. Tayler Fisher's piece is live for a limited period, for 2019/early 2020 only get down to Modern Painters, New Decorators - Unit 33, Carillon Court, Loughborough LE11 3XA.
A Window to Reality #004 was completed with Jay Clarke on the 21st January 2020. If you're in Loughborough, you can view Jay's work in Carillon Court- it's only up until the end of Feb 2020.
Installation 006
Installation 005
A Window to Reality #005 was from Liam Proudman. You can view Liam's work at: The Old Hospital Ct, Loughborough LE11 1TH for Winter 2019/20 only.
THE PERFORMANCES
For the performance each artist wore a distinct white working wardrobe or a white version of their clothes. This was to highlight the alternative reality version of their overlaid selves and to allow focus on their work as they moved in front of it during the creation process. We were pleasantly surprised by how little persuasion it took to get six artists to dress up.
COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Graffio Arts collaborates with partners to bring the right expertise and skills to make projects happen. We have been lucky to work with some outstanding people on this project...
Swipe & Tap APP TECHNOLOGY
Swipe & Tap worked closely with us to develop the augmented reality app. They brought a technical and creative intelligence to the development of a next-generation AR app which is now freely available for iOS and Android.
James Poole VIDEO
James and Johnny from James Poole helped us develop the AR video framework for the project. They have been present at every performance to supply and set-up equipment, advise on the video production, lighting and editing.
Hannah Bodsworth PHOTOGRAPHY
Hannah brought her expertise to producing a series of themed but distinct portrait shots that were crucial for establishing the personas of the involved creatives. As the project has developed, Hanna’s studio became the perfect hub for developing the performances.
