Final Project - Augmented Reality Pocket Mobile Gallery

Summary:
I believe in the importance of spreading, sharing, relaying information. The more people now, the more they grow and are able to explore the world and themselves. I also experiment with different ways to spread information. For this project, the information is art, specifically my photography. I use augmented reality to place my images on playing cards.

Inspiration:
Living in New York City, there is a constant reminder of the lack of color and vibrancy that could inhabit the structures around us. Yes, there are murals, street art, and graffiti that decorate select parts of the city, but drab gray, brown, and pale dirty walls are everywhere.

As I walk around the city, I think of potential artworks that could fill the space both physically and virtually. In the long run, I believe augmented reality can help in the dissemination of art and color throughout the city. I have a grand idea where proposed art installation can be prototyped via augmented reality and/or a physical space can have a virtual gallery with a constant rotation of artworks.

Before I can turn the city into a gallery, I have to learn how augmented reality works. (This is my first time using Unity.)


Research:
The first link was a false start, but it pointed me in the right direction. (I realized I needed to have a webcam for the testing process and set of instructions that were based on using an Android OS.)

Charlie Gerard - How to create Augmented Reality posters with Unity and Vuforia (1/31/18)
https://medium.com/@devdevcharlie/how-to-create-augmented-reality-posters-with-unity-vuforia-ec80a82e6d51


I eventually found this video and it became the backbone of my project.

YouTube Channel: Playful Technology - How to create an Augmented Reality App (2/10/18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1420&v=MtiUx_szKbI


The above video gives instruction on the unity side but does instruct on how to move the app (APK file) to an Android device. The below video did not give the exact instructions I was looking for, but it was enough information to fill in myself in order to transfer and run the app on my smartphone.


YouTube Channel: Android Apps Junction - How to install apk files on android device (7/12/17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDkV3jBYi2c


Process:
I followed Playful Technology's video step by step minus the segment that adds a video file to the AR app. I focused on the playing cards and decided to put my logo on the decorated side of the card and an image from my collection on the suit facing side of the card.


Visual Documentation:

The Target Image (Image in the physical world):

Augmented Reality Image (Image in the virtual world):

Demo:

The final app targets all of the Ace cards to link with an image from four bodies of work (BlackWhiteColor, Paper Waves, Wait, Life in a Box).

The APK file can be downloaded from the following link: Download APK File Here

Proof of Concept - black work

It takes a while for me to get comfortable with a new art form, a new process, and new materials. Though I like to experiment with new materials, the depth of my experimentation is tied to my interests in what I can create. Below is the combination of a new process (laser cutter) and a current project (black work). I found it easier to apply the new material/process to an existing passion. The laser cutter helped with the proof of concept for a photo piece.

black work (series title)

Lift or National Black Anthem (photo title)

Notes

The lyrics to the National Black Anthem will flow off of the page (roughly 20" x 28"). The letters will be around 2" in height.

Photoshop Mock Up of Picture

Sample letters were cut from a 1/4" piece of 12x12" wood panel. The top line was spray painted black.

Laser Cut Letters (approx 3")

20" x 28" Background Paper

The black letters were placed on a sheet of black paper similar to the photoshop version above.

The goal is to have the lyrics both blend and stand out to the viewer.

Scratch Animation

This mini Scratch project was done in two phases.

The first was the backdrop, made from a photo I took at James Turrell’s meeting installation at PS 1. I cropped out pieces of blue from the sky and pieces of the sunshine on the wall and randomly placed them throughout the picture. The goal was to fill the room with sky blue and the sky with the white sunshine.

The second phase was the addition of the sprite. It’s based on a drawing I drew as a kid. There’s no gameplay as a traditional game but there is a hidden surprise.

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/283403425/

The Black Crowns

Though my artistic medium of choice is currently photography, I have always loved making things (or breaking things) with my hands. The Black Crowns are a combination of two things I enjoy; photography and sculpture. Black Crown (Biggie) was inspired by a quote in a play that I saw. The term “black crown” floated in the air and sparked the question “What would a black crown look like?” I thought about what a crown means in black culture and specifically in Hip Hop culture. This led to The Notorious B.I.G.’s portrait of him wearing a tilted crown. I modeled my crown based on the one he wore. Instead of using a prefabricated crown, I decided to make my own using clay. Working with my hands brings me joy. The process helps to slow me down and helps me to be present. Mistakes happen when I get ahead of myself and when they do, it reminds me to focus and recenter myself. It becomes a practice in meditation for me. This one idea for a photograph has morphed into a larger body of work that I’m excited to produce.

Black Crown (Biggie)

Black Crown (Basquiat)

Back At It Again (Temporarily)

I've been away from this blog for a hot minute and it will now be active for a few months. It'll probably go back to being dormant after May but who knows. I'm taking a class New Media New Form and our first assignment is to create a blog so we can post our assignments to it. I almost made a new blog for the class then remembered I can just use this one. I must say, even years later, I love the layout and colors of this blog. It brings back some good memories. 

For now, this blog will be the resting place for my class assignments. Enjoy.