Robert McLaughin Gallery - Upstart II

The Upstart II sculpture is a prominent outdoor installation located at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) in Oshawa, Ontario. Created by the renowned Canadian artist Ron Baird, the sculpture is made of aluminum and stainless steel and stands at over 20 feet tall. Its unique design features multiple reflective surfaces and geometric shapes, creating a dynamic and visually striking piece of public art. Upstart II has become a beloved fixture in the Oshawa community and is a popular destination for visitors to the RMG. Its impressive size and intricate design make it a perfect candidate for an augmented reality (AR) experience, allowing visitors to interact with the sculpture in new and exciting ways.

About the Project

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) utilized the powerful ar.js Studio to create an exciting and interactive augmented reality (AR) experience for the Upstart II sculpture. With its unique shape and reflective surfaces, Upstart II was the perfect candidate for an AR experience that would allow visitors to interact with the sculpture in new and engaging ways. Using ar.js Studio, the team designed a series of AR elements that provided information about the sculpture's design and history, while also allowing visitors to manipulate and explore the sculpture in new ways. By combining cutting-edge technology with creative design, the RMG was able to create a truly memorable experience for visitors to Upstart II.

Objective & Challenges

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is a public art gallery located in Oshawa, Ontario. The RMG wanted to create an interactive experience for visitors to its Upstart II sculpture. Upstart II is a large, outdoor sculpture made of aluminum and stainless steel, and its unique shape and reflective surfaces make it an interesting subject for an augmented reality (AR) experience.

The main objective was to create an AR experience that would allow visitors to interact with the sculpture in a unique and engaging way, while also providing information about the sculpture's design and history. The challenges included designing an AR experience that would work well in an outdoor environment, ensuring that the AR elements were properly aligned with the sculpture, and creating a user-friendly interface for visitors to access the AR experience.

The Process

To create the AR experience for Upstart II, the RMG turned to ar.js Studio, a web-based platform for creating AR content. The process began with a detailed analysis of the sculpture's design and features, as well as its location and surroundings. This helped to inform the design of the AR experience and ensure that it would be well-suited to the sculpture's environment.

Next, the team used ar.js Studio to create a 3D model of the sculpture, which served as the basis for the AR experience. They then designed a series of AR elements that would be overlaid onto the sculpture when viewed through a mobile device. These elements included information about the sculpture's design and history, as well as interactive features that allowed visitors to manipulate and explore the sculpture in new ways.

Once the AR elements were designed, the team conducted a series of tests to ensure that they would align properly with the sculpture when viewed through a mobile device. They also worked to optimize the AR experience for outdoor use, taking into account factors such as lighting and weather conditions.

The Deliverable

The final AR experience for Upstart II included a variety of interactive features and informational elements. Visitors could use their mobile devices to explore the sculpture from different angles, zoom in on specific details, and access information about its design and history. They could also manipulate the sculpture in various ways, such as changing its color or rotating it on its axis.

To access the AR experience, visitors simply had to scan a QR code located near the sculpture, which opened a web-based AR interface on their mobile device. The interface was designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, with clear instructions and easy-to-navigate menus.

Overall, the AR experience for Upstart II was a success, providing visitors with a unique and engaging way to interact with the sculpture and learn about its history and design. The use of ar.js Studio allowed the RMG to create a high-quality AR experience that was well-suited to the sculpture's environment and provided a seamless user experience for visitors.