AR-NFT Fest Lugano: Cyber Dreams - Metagate

AR-NFT FEST LUGANO:CYBER ​​DREAMS

In conjunction with the physical exhibition of Cyber Dreams promoted by Poseidon DAO in the central courtyard, the exhibition of Paulo Renftle, Andrea Crespi and Yasmine Mahmoudieh was enriched with Augmented Reality experiences. The AR installation was created by Metagate, geolocating the digital assets on the Over the Reality platform, in collaboration with curator Sara Calandra  and under the direction of Ilaria Stirpe.

On the occasion of the NFT Fest in Lugano, Metagate collaborated to create an Augmented Reality installation with Yasmine Mahmoudieh. The experience featured a physical part consisting of a “Turn Me” chair specimen by the artist. The work was integrated into an AR experience where a digital water mirror was geolocated precisely above physical mirrors to create a blending effect between the physical and digital. Floating plastic bottles were then added to the water, which, once touched in Augmented Reality, transformed into the artist’s digitized works.

See the video here!!

The artwork titled "OceanaWarp" represents an innovative example of eco-conscious art utilizing advanced technology, particularly Mixed Reality (MR). It is a site-specific creation by renowned architect and designer Yasmine Mahmoudieh, with the assistance of art curator Sara Calandra and Metagate, developers of metaverse experiences.

 

The title of the work, "OceanaWarp" is a combination of "Oceana," recalling the ocean, and "Warp," suggesting a distortion or transformation of reality. This word aims to evoke a sense of entry into an altered but focused world, where oceanic issues, such as plastic pollution, are addressed in a revolutionary way, raising public awareness towards a sustainable perspective.

 

The artwork was displayed from September 8th to 11th, 2023, within the charming courtyard of Asilo Ciani in Lugano (Switzerland) for the "Cyber Dreams" exhibition curated by Ilaria Stirpe, Sara Calandra, Annalisa Curtarelli, and Holy Club Digital Art Gallery. The space, titled "Close Your Eyes," represents an extraordinary immersion between waking consciousness and the dream realm, where the real and the virtual blend in a powerful visual dialogue. Thanks to the Augmented Reality technology provided by the metaverse "OVER the Reality," "OceanaWarp" was geolocated in the Lugano area, allowing visitors to experience it interactively. The central mirror in the courtyard was transformed into a virtual water surface, conceptually linking to the theme of marine pollution. Visitors could interact with floating 3D objects, representing polluting plastic bottles, and through their device, could submerge the bottles to reveal the designer’s eco-sustainable products.

See the video here!!


The artwork combines art, technology, and sustainability. The physical objects in the installation are 3D printed using recycled plastic, transforming a harmful material into functional and artistic pieces with dreamlike and multi-purpose forms. Each object is equipped with an NFC chip, allowing for a seamless blend between physical and virtual reality, enabling visitors to interact with the work in unique ways.
It is worth noting how Yasmine Mahmoudieh is renowned for her unique and holistic approach to design, integrating human psychology and advanced technology. She has created award-winning projects in various parts of the world, including hotels, shopping centers, and residential complexes, while never losing her distinctive organic approach that combines modern design and functionality, keeping human needs central.


Ultimately, "OceanaWarp" is an extraordinary example of how art and technology can converge to address environmental challenges and promote a more sustainable future while experimenting with and understanding new media that are becoming protagonists of the digital era.

As for Paolo Renftle and Andrea Crespi, both exhibited their real works, to which the team decided to integrate an AR piece to complete their series within two arches of the room that were intentionally left empty.

By Sara Calandra & Marco Pizzini

 

 

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