Kharkiv, Ukraine, has always been a city known for its rich history and cultural heritage. However, it is now pioneering a new frontier in the art world with the creation of the AR Park Kharkiv. This innovative augmented reality (AR) sculpture park is the brainchild of Kharkiv artist Vira DG. Dedicated to exploring the themes of broken, forgotten, and invisible communication, this park is a testament to how digital technology can transform public spaces and cultural experiences.
The Vision Behind AR Park Kharkiv
Vira DG’s vision for the AR Park Kharkiv was to bridge the gap between the local culture of Kharkiv and the international art scene. Her goal was to utilize augmented reality to create an immersive experience that challenges the senses and encourages new forms of interaction. The park features a series of sculptures, each with its own unique story and method of interaction, accessible via QR codes. This innovative approach not only makes art more accessible but also allows it to transcend physical boundaries.
Background History of the AR Park in Kharkiv
The AR Sculpture Park in Kharkiv is a groundbreaking project brought to life by artist Vira DG with support from the Kharkiv City Council and the nonprofit organization Gwara Media. This innovative park idea was born out of the artist’s participation in the “Very Digital Residencies” in 2020, hosted by Pixelated Realities and Gwara Media. Here, Vira DG created the AR sculpture titled “The Time Capsule.” The idea for the AR sculpture park emerged from these digital residencies, and the community advised submitting the project for participatory budgeting. The project garnered 319 votes from Kharkiv residents, securing official implementation as a city initiative.
The success of the project is attributed to the powerful partnership with the NGO Gwara Media, which allowed the artist to create a competitive tender on PROZORRO, significantly reducing the project’s initial cost. The team collaborated to address legal, marketing, and product challenges, helping the artist bring her modern vision to life.
The Concept of Augmented Reality
Augmented reality enhances the real world with digital data provided by devices like smartphones, tablets, and AR glasses. This technology is at the heart of AR Park Kharkiv, allowing visitors to interact with digital sculptures superimposed onto their real-world surroundings. Each sculpture comes with a plaque featuring a QR code and a description of how to engage with it. This setup makes the sculptures easily transportable across cities, countries, and continents, simply by sharing a QR code file.
AR Sculptures and Their Stories
The AR Park Kharkiv features fourteen captivating sculptures in augmented reality, each telling a unique story and offering a distinctive interactive experience. Vira DG meticulously crafted seventy prototypes to choose the final fourteen sculptures for this immersive park. Here are a few highlights of the featured artworks:
Solar Clarinets
The “Solar Clarinets” sculpture is a beautiful representation of the Sun and enlightenment, inspired by the poetry of Pavel Tychyna. It is crafted in Vira DG’s distinctive calligraphic style, resembling a sunflower. This sculpture encourages visitors to embrace new technologies and innovations while interacting with the digital world.
Scan the QR code & place the object.
“Solar Clarinets” is a captivating sculpture created in the artist’s unique style of Calligraffiti. This installation beautifully symbolizes the Sun and the illumination it brings, resembling the elegant form of a sunflower. The artist’s intent is to inspire people to embrace innovation, explore new technologies, and engage meaningfully with the digital world.
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365
“Dedicated to the physicist Leo Landau, the ‘365’ sculpture explores the concepts of space-time curvature and the principle of uncertainty, central themes in quantum mechanics. This sculpture is a tribute to Landau’s contributions to science and how they influence modern technology.”
Discover the breathtaking “365” sculpture at AR Park Kharkiv by Vira DG, dedicated to the genius world-known physicist from Kharkiv Leo Landau. This masterpiece embodies the curvature of space-time and the principle of uncertainty, offering a profound tribute to the wonders of quantum mechanics and Landau’s legacy in modern technology.
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VAK-VEK
“VAK-VEK” pays homage to Kharkiv’s outsider artist Oleg Mitasov, known for his chaotic graffiti. This sculpture symbolizes dissent and reflects Mitasov’s famous phrase, “from great scientists to madmen.” It represents a connection between artistic expression and societal commentary.
The sculpture pays heartfelt tribute to Oleg Mitasov, an esteemed Kharkiv outsider artist and a legendary figure in the city’s history. As one of the pioneers of graffiti art on city walls since the mid-1980s, Mitasov adorned his home and surrounding courtyards with a profusion of chaotic inscriptions, conveying powerful messages such as “No. Lose. Faith. In. People. Everyone. Everything. Alive. No. Alive.”
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The Impact of AR Park Kharkiv
The AR Park in Kharkiv is a symbol of resilience and hope. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the project continues to inspire and connect people through the universal language of art. The park was initially scheduled to open in April 2022, but the outbreak of full-scale war delayed its official launch. However, the spirit of the project lives on, supported by the community and the unwavering belief in a brighter future.
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Institutional Support and Community Involvement
The project was brought to life with the support of Gwara Media and 319 local citizens. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of community involvement in preserving and promoting digital cultural heritage. The AR Park Kharkiv serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that art and culture can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances.
Conclusion
AR Park Kharkiv stands as a testament to the power of innovation and community spirit. It transforms the traditional art experience into an interactive journey, connecting Kharkiv to the global art scene through the power of augmented reality. As the city continues to rebuild and grow, the AR Park Kharkiv will undoubtedly play a significant role in its cultural renaissance, offering both residents and visitors a glimpse into the future of art and technology.