Hyperrealia : AR Interventions with the State Library Victoria Collection

Background Augmented Reality (AR) is a nascent medium for creative storytelling and activation of cultural heritage objects. AR art projects have been criticized as arbitrarily “plonking” digital objects into a space (Seb Chan, “The Future of AR”, NGV, 2022); although site-specific projects such as Troy Innocent’s “64 ways of being” have a more nuanced spatial and cultural relationship with their locations. I have collaboratively developed an AR project which conceptually and technically pushes the creative and critical potential of the medium as a way to explore archival objects and the stories connected to them. Contribution "Hyperrealia : AR Interventions with the State Library Victoria Collection", was an event at SLV Create Quarter. The “AR Interventions” were presented at a two-day event at SLV as part of Melbourne Design Week 2023. This project was developed by “Hyperrealia”, a media art collective comprising Donna Kendrigan, John McCormick and myself. Project development was funded by the SLV “Alchemy” program in 2021, and the Creative Victoria Creator’s fund in 2022. This event showcased three objects from the SLV collection, presented as immersive 3D AR animations, using a custom mobile app. Selected archival items virtually emerge from the vaults and co-exist in the space, interacting with the audience in a way that is personally engaging and presents historical and narrative elements in a non-didactic form. Each work is designed from the start to be experienced in-situ and activate specific spaces and features of the SLV building. Significance The event was selected for Melbourne Design Week and was promoted through SLV and MDW/NGV websites, drawing a diverse audience to the 18 sessions, with almost 100% attendance, and 100% positive audience feedback. Key insights came from observing audience interactions, emotions and behaviour, supported by an anonymous post-event survey. This has led to conference presentations and development of further works.