There are already two Augmented Reality art exhibitions (in 3 locations) using the Layar platform so far this month.
The first runs from April 7-May 1 in Philadelphia, PA as part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). This exhibition is a collaboration between Breadboard, a hybrid program at the University City Science Center dedicated to exploring the intersection of art, science and technology, and Layar Partner VPAP (Virtual Public Art Project).
VPAP@PIFA features 25 works of art placed strategically around around the city (like on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, for instance). These 3D AR models include, but are not limited to, a giant alien snake (see image, right), a deformed foot that changes color, and a giant squid.
[Mark Skwarek‘s “Occupation Forces” at the (Un)seen Sculptures exhibit in Sydney/Melbourne Australia.]
Meanwhile, another ARt exhibition called (Un)seen Sculptures kicks off on April 9 in Sydney, Australia as part of the Surry Hills Festival then reopens in Melbourne on April 30.
Via smarterplanet:
Awesome Augmented Reality App Could Save Librarians Hours
If you’ve ever worked in a library, you’re familiar with the drudgery of shelf reading. That’s the process of verifying that all the books on a shelf are in the right order, based on their call numbers. Books get out of order fairly easily, when they’re taken off the shelf and examined, for example, or when they’re just stuck in the wrong place.
Miami University’s Augmented Reality Research Group (MU ARRG! - that exclamation point, I confess, is my addition), led by Professor Bo Brinkman, has developed an Android app that could save librarians a lot of time and hassle. Using the Android’s camera, the app “reads” a bookshelf, and with an AR overlay, quickly flags those books that are misplaced. It will also point to the correct place on the bookshelf so the book can easily be re-shelved correctly.
Source: ReadWriteWeb
Via futuramb:
New York City To Put QR Codes On All Building Permits By 2013
This could be that kind of initiative that breaks down because it relies on a non-existing web-maturity in the related institutions.
On the other hand it could be the kind of initiative that really takes off and generates a lot of goodwill and is being copied in many different places around the globe.
Augmented reality for architecture geeks
(story from Fast Company about soon-to-be-released mobile application though which designers envision creating a mobile guide to buildings)
IKEA uses augmented reality to launch PS furniture collection
To launch its PS collection, IKEA used an augmented-reality application that lets users see how furniture pieces would look in their homes.
Consumers are encouraged to download the application via posters in German stores and via Bluetooth channels. The Swedish furniture retailer tapped German mobile marketing company Clanmo GmbH for the promotion.
“The strategy was to provide mobile support for the IKEA PS market launch in Germany,” said Jill Urbanek, consultant at Clanmo, Munich, Germany. “The new design collection from IKEA was launched with the slogan ‘Never-ending Design Stories,’ so the unusual designs made IKEA look for unusual ways to promote it. (cont.)
Via texturism (a.k.a. @mmcgovern)