'Phygital’ - the new artistic medium for designers!

Image: Seeing the Invisible

AR has become the most interesting artistic medium of recent years, blurring the boundaries between physical and digital - AKA - Phygital. 

Augmented Reality’s unique capability of enabling audiences to naturally interact with virtual projects, in real spaces, has made the world a canvas for new Phygital structures! We wanted to share some exciting examples of phygital structures that can inspire you to create standout AR projects of the future..

London Design Festival 2021: Medusa

Creator: Architect Sou Fujimoto’s & Tin Drum
Location: V&A Museum

Image: V&A

​As a part of the London Design Festival 2021 Japanese Architect Sou Fujimoto’s & Tin Drum brought to life an immersive AR experience, Medusa. The form of Medusa is inspired by natural “structures” like the Aurora Borealis and bioluminescent fish. Once the visitors don their AR headsets the ceiling of the room becomes home to a striking suspended mixed reality structure.The mechanics of the installation mean that it reacts to the audience it is performing for. The structure will not appear in the same way for a group of five onlookers as it will for a group of 50. Know more

The Armory Show, NY 2017: Concrete Storm

Creator: Microsoft & Artsy
Location: New York, USA

Image: Studio Drift

Concrete Storm was the first AR reality public art piece in the world commissioned by Microsoft/Artsy. Exploring the theme of doing something that you “couldn’t do” with an immovable entity like concrete, the installation involved three concrete pillars in a booth. While wearing the HoloLens, the audience is immersed in the mixed reality experience. Audience can hear a storm, winds blowing, and see the pillars moving in the wind. It was a big challenge to draw on rigid properties of concrete and creating something that was in the physical reality like creating a storm. Know More

Seeing the Invisible 2021

Creators: Ai Weiwei, Issac Julian CBE, Daito Manabe, El Anatsui and Refik Anadol
Location: Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh + 11 locations ​

Seeing the Invisible is the first exhibition of its kind to be developed in collaboration between the botanical gardens and art institutions from around the world. The participating gardens all present the same exhibition, but as the works are augmented into the unique surroundings and context of each garden, the exhibition is experienced differently against the backdrop of each location. It is appearing simultaneously across 12 gardens across the world from September 2021 until August 2022 including the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh. The audience experiences the exhibition by downloading a GPS-based iOS/andriod app. Know more

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Inspired to create your own AR experience? 

​As artists and designers are ready to explore immersive AR experiences, the Next-Gen Architect is likely to do the same thing! ARki app is helping the next generation of architects set their work apart! If you would like to learn more about how you can be stepping into the future of Architecture, click below and request a demo!

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