Introduction to Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that layers virtual elements onto the true world, creating a singular and interactive experience. While virtual reality (VR) has gained significant attention, AR has been relatively neglected. However, with the advancement of technology, AR is regularly gaining popularity, and its possibilities are being explored by artists and creators.
The Difference Between AR and VR
The key difference between AR and VR is that VR involves complete immersion in a created environment, whereas AR enhances the true world with virtual elements. Professors Elizabeth Miller and Patricia R. Zimmermann describe this distinction as VR being "place-agnostic" versus AR being "place-centric." This difference is crucial in understanding the potential of AR in various fields, including documentary filmmaking.
The State of Documentary AR
Currently, documentary AR continues to be in its infancy, and most projects are limited to historical education and location-based media. These projects often involve using existing devices, akin to smartphones, to access information and experiences related to a particular location. While these projects are informative, they have an inclination to be passive and don’t fully utilize the potential of AR.
Examples of Documentary AR Projects
Several documentary AR projects have been developed in recent times. For example, the Chicago 00 Project provides access to historical materials from the Chicago History Museum at various locations around the town. Emerging Radiance uses Instagram filters to layer additional elements onto portraits of Japanese-American farmers. The Japanese American National Museum’s app BeHere / 1942 allows visitors to witness the forced removal of interned Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. These projects display the potential of AR in enhancing our understanding of historical events and locations.
Limitations and Challenges
Despite the potential of AR, there are limitations and challenges related to its use in documentary filmmaking. Many AR projects are designed as methods of historical corrective, highlighting the experiences of groups whose stories have traditionally been ignored. However, this approach requires a more immersive and evocative experience, which might be difficult to realize with current technology. Additionally, there’s a risk of historical misery rubbernecking, where the main target is on sensationalizing historical events somewhat than providing a nuanced understanding.
Innovative AR Projects
Some AR projects are pushing the boundaries of what is feasible with this technology. For example, the NYC-based edtech company Movers and Shakers has developed an app called Kinfolk, which allows users to digitally place monuments to historical figures onto real spaces. Tamiko Thiel’s 2018 piece "Unexpected Growth" animated a digital tumor on the Whitney Museum, responding to weather conditions and visitor gaze. Nancy Baker’s Mushroom Cloud NYC / RISE projected a nuclear explosion over New York’s skyline, evoking the danger of climate change. These projects display the potential of AR in transforming public spaces and fascinating users in recent and progressive ways.
Social Media and AR
Social media platforms are also exploring the potential of AR. For example, Kristen Cuneo used her husband’s TikTok account to share her experiences as a brand new mother, using QR codes to supply interactive information. This approach invites participation from users and provides a brand new way of sharing personal stories and experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while AR continues to be in its infancy, it has the potential to revolutionize the best way we experience and interact with the world around us. By recognizing the chances of AR and pushing the boundaries of what is feasible, creators can develop progressive and fascinating projects that transform public spaces and supply recent ways of understanding historical events and private stories. As technology continues to advance, we will expect to see more exciting developments in the sector of AR, and its potential to reinforce our lives and understanding of the world.
