HERE Augmented Reality Art Trail

An exhibition with a difference has launched in St Helens Town Centre . The HERE ARt Trail uses augmented reality (AR) to showcase virtual artworks, sound installations and performances – together creating a digital portrait of St. Helens. Developments in AR mean audiences of all ages actively engage with popular computer games such as Pokemon Go. They have harnessed this interest to explore how it can be used to share multimedia artwork - usually confined to a gallery or performance space. CulturEd (St. Helens Cultural Education Partnership) worked with 12 creative practitioners and 18 education providers (primary and secondary schools, alternative provision and Buzz Hub). Using St. Helens online Community Archive as a starting point, participants worked with artists and performers to consider the history, geography, social make-up and diversity of the town. Working collaboratively, participants explored issues relevant to them to create a portrait of St. Helens using new technology. Bringing the artwork together Impossible Arts, our lead digital organization, developed an app which allows anyone to engage with this outdoor virtual exhibition. QR codes activate augmented reality to place digital artworks in locations across St Helens Town Centre, making it seem like they are actually there. Viewed through any device you’ll be able to experience, videos, music, sounds and images to see the town in a new light. The HERE ARTrail is open to the public from September 5th- October 31st , so bring your phone or tablet, plug in some headphones, and download our app to experience this unique Augmented Reality trail. Created by CulturEd, supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants. Find out more: https://www.impossible.org.uk/here/