Introduction to Warooka’s Moving Murals Project
An modern augmented reality (AR) project is bringing vibrant art murals to life in a small country town on the Southern Yorke Peninsula. The Warooka’s Moving Murals Project combines technology with art, transforming static artworks on predominant street buildings and infrastructure into immersive experiences for residents and visitors.
The Project’s Objective
The project was initiated by local people members to increase the favored Yorke Peninsula Art Trail with interactive mural experiences. The goal is to draw more visitors to the southern a part of the region and showcase the world’s artistic, natural, and cultural heritage. The project is a component of the 2025 Yorke Peninsula Grounded Festival, held throughout the state-wide South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.
The Murals
Lead artist Jasmine Swales worked with a team of local artists to create three public art murals situated within the predominant street of Warooka. The murals include:
- ‘Molly’s Tank’, a big, concrete water tank, depicting an ‘under the jetty’ ocean experience.
- The side of the Foodworks supermarket, illustrating what’s present in the local native landscape and creatures corresponding to the brush-tailed bettong, goanna, and mallee fowl.
- The side of Warooka Hardware, showcasing the dramatic coastal landscape and its natural world; the nautilus shell, osprey, coastal saltbush, plovers, oyster catchers, and a sea eagle.
Augmented Reality Technology
The Molly’s Tank and Foodworks murals include ‘trigger images’; designs embedded throughout the artwork that visitors scan to access an AR story that expands on the artworks’ design and content. Researchers from UniSA’s Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE) were engaged for the AR technology utilized in the project. They presented at a series of workshops and community consultations on how AR could possibly be utilized in storytelling and activated AR for 2 of the three murals.
Community Involvement
The local artists worked with students from the Warooka Primary School who also contributed to the murals’ designs, stories, and painting. The project was a community-instigated and led initiative, where stories that were meaningful to the individuals who lived within the region were created. The AR technology brings the mural artworks to life, telling stories and sharing culture by creating immersive story experiences that connect audiences of all ages more deeply with the art.
Project Impact
The Moving Murals project contributes to Warooka’s cultural vibrancy and helps attract regional art tourism. By combining technology with visual art, the murals appeal to a broad audience and foster a deeper connection and understanding of the world’s artistic, natural, and cultural heritages. The project wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of UniSA and the region’s many remarkable artists.
Conclusion
The Warooka’s Moving Murals Project is a singular and modern initiative that showcases the ability of art and technology in bringing communities together. The project’s success is a testament to the importance of collaboration and community involvement in creating immersive and interesting experiences. As the project continues to evolve, it’s more likely to attract more visitors to the region, supporting local businesses and exceeding people’s expectations. With its unique mix of art, technology, and community spirit, the Warooka’s Moving Murals Project is an exciting example of what may be achieved when creativity and innovation come together.
