Discover interactive art at the AR Sculpture Park in Bocholt, Germany. Learn more about this project dedicated to Bocholt’s 800th Anniversary!
As the city of Bocholt celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2022, the milestone was marked by a unique and innovative project: Open Spaces 800. This initiative brought together fifteen national and international artists to explore the concept of SPACE in both the physical context of Bocholt and its broader, more abstract meanings. The project not only commemorated the city’s rich history but also engaged with contemporary digital art forms, making it a significant cultural milestone. Representing Ukraine, Vira DG participated in the project and created an AR Sculpture Park for Bocholt, commemorating its 800th anniversary with stunning augmented reality sculptures and an AR game for the LWL-Industrial Museum.
The project featured a wide array of artistic expressions, including augmented reality (AR) sculptures, which allowed for interactive and immersive experiences. This innovative approach not only honored the city’s past but also looked ahead to its future, blending traditional art forms with cutting-edge technology.
Spotlight on AR Sculptures by Vira DG
One of the standout contributors to Open Spaces 800 was Ukrainian artist Vira DG, known for her unique style that merges modern Calligraffiti with augmented and virtual reality art. Her artistic journey blends Western and Eastern calligraphy with abstract and figurative painting, incorporating new technologies like AR and VR. Vira DG’s distinctive vision has been showcased in significant venues, including the Ukrainian Pavilion of the 58th Venice Biennale in 2019 and the Year of Tolerance in Dubai, where her work was notably recognized.
On September 24th, 2021, Thomas Waschki, First City Councilor of Bocholt, and Jule Wanders, Head of Culture, visited all the OPEN SPACES 800 artists. At Osterplatz, they explored the AR Sculpture Park of augmented reality sculptures by Vira DG, which were accessible via QR codes, along with Verena Winter, the curator of the project. Afterwards, Waschki and Wanders met Vira DG in person.
For the city Bocholt, Vira DG created five AR sculptures and one AR GAME.
Vira DG’s artistic journey is characterized by a blend of Western and Eastern calligraphy, combined with abstract and figurative painting, and new technologies such as AR and VR. Her involvement in Open Spaces 800 underscored her belief in the transformative power of art, as she stated, “I believe that art changes the world, and I am a part of this global and beautiful process.” During the project, the artist created five AR sculptures and one AR game that formed an AR Sculpture Park, dissolved around the city in a pedestrian walk trail on the square at the historic Town Hall, in front of the Stadtsparkasse (Neutorplatz 1), at Osterplatz, and near the LWL-Industrial Museum.
“OPEN SPACES 800” is the AR Sculpture at the Historic Town Hall (Markt 1) Celebrates Bocholt’s 800th Anniversary
The main AR sculpture by Vira DG, titled “OPEN SPACES 800,” marks the starting point of the AR Sculpture Park in front of the historic Town Hall, celebrating Bocholt’s eight-hundredth anniversary. This innovative piece creates a dialogue between digital art and the pre-digital era, symbolized by the Europabrunnen sculpture. Europabrunnen, a physical sculpture in the shape of a sun, was gifted to Bocholt to celebrate the city’s 775th anniversary after it received the title Europastadt. This juxtaposition highlights the rapid transformation of our world over the past twenty-five years.
The AR sculpture, crafted in the style of Calligraffiti and shaped like the symbol of the number eight with two diamonds, in silver and gold, connects the present and the future through an eternal, kinetic movement. It embodies balance in perpetual motion and dance, symbolizing a new era and replacing the concept of ‘stability’ with ‘balance.’
Discover the AR Sculpture “Union” at Osterplatz: A Symbol of Connection in Bocholt
At the heart of Osterplatz is the continuation of the AR Sculpture Park trail with the stunning AR sculpture “Union,” crafted in the form of a chain. “Union” vividly embodies the theme of connection, with each link representing the intricate ways in which our thoughts, ideas, and actions interweave to influence the world and the people around us. This chain serves as a powerful reminder that we are all interconnected, contributing to the collective evolution of the universe.
A Vision for the Future
The evolution of human existence flows from the past, through the present, and into the future. The last link in this chain of sculpture represents us: you, me, and Universe. We are open to new ideas, innovations, and creations. As we complete this chain, a new story begins, a new world emerges, and a new future is created. It is our responsibility to shape the world with our thoughts and actions. The future is now, as the artist loves to say. Just be open and create Open Spaces!
Inspiration Behind AR Sculpture “Union”
The inspiration for “Union” stems from the artist’s experiences in Bocholt. This small, cozy industrial city left a profound impression, especially the sight of people walking hand in hand, fostering a sense of connection, support, and unity. This vision of interconnectedness inspired the creation of a sculpture that not only reflects these values but also invites viewers to embrace new ideas, innovations, and creations, recognizing the impact our thoughts, ideas, and actions have on our shared world.
Exhibition at LWL-Industrial Museum: OpenSpaces 800
In October 2021, the AR Sculptures, presented as an interactive AR experience via QR codes, were featured for a month at the LWL-Industrial Museum (Textil Werk Bocholt) as part of the OpenSpaces 800 exhibition. This event was a significant milestone, realizing Vira’s dream of showcasing invisible AR art in a real museum.
“Drop of the Ocean”, The AR Sculpture by Vira DG
The AR Sculpture “Drop of the Ocean” in front of the Stadtsparkasse (Neutorplatz 1) is dedicated to the sustainability of oceans and the topic of how to keep oceans clean amid the impact of humankind. It serves as a reminder that 1.5 million years ago, the area now known as Bocholt was under sea level.
Artist Vira DG spent many hours at Stadtmuseum Bocholt, delving into the city’s history. Inspired by this past, she created the sculpture to highlight the importance of preserving our oceans. The sculpture features a drop of the ocean floating around a cloud above one of the city’s main squares. This visual metaphor aims to remind everyone of their responsibility to maintain clean oceans and preserve water resources on our planet.
Vira’s artwork not only reflects historical insights but also encourages viewers to embrace sustainability, innovation, and the collective effort needed to protect our natural environment. By integrating interactive AR elements, she invites the public to engage with the sculpture in a meaningful way, sparking awareness and action towards ocean conservation.