On June 30th, the vibrant art scene of Düsseldorf witnessed a unique blend of technology and artistic expression in front of the Kunstpalast. The project of the artist Shinpei Takeda captured the audiences with the innovative VR application during the public demonstration of the "Antimonument Extended" project, held at a pop-up workshop as part of the esteemed art exhibition "Die Grosse." The "Antimonument Extended" project challenges conventional notions of monuments and invites participants to reimagine and modify these public symbols.
The VR application allows users to create individualized modifications of existing monuments. Attendees of the pop-up workshop were provided with VR headsets, immersing them in a virtual environment where they could manipulate and decorate various monument structures. The intuitive interface of the application made it accessible even to those with limited technological experience, encouraging broad participation and creativity. One of the highlights of the event was the ability of users to capture their creations. Once a monument was modified, participants could take screenshots of their virtual designs.
Additionally, the application featured an augmented reality (AR) component, enabling users to generate AR models of their modified monuments. These models could then be viewed and interacted with through smartphones and tablets, bridging the gap between virtual creativity and real-world experience.
The VR application was developed by students of the Faculty of Media at the Hochschule Düsseldorf - University of Applied Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Jens Herder. The exchange student from Korea Suyeon Baek worked in the project on the dynamice web site, which shows the creations in 2D and 3D as well as AR. At the pop-up workshop, she and Armin Muschallik were in charge of setting up the equipment and guiding the visitors through the VR experience.
Armin Muschallik worked also on the latest version of the VR app. The "Antimonument Extended" project and its public demonstration reflect a broader trend in the art world, where technology and creativity increasingly intersect to offer new forms of expression and engagement.
As the art exhibition "Die Grosse" continues to draw visitors, The VR application remains a highlight, inviting further interaction and dialogue. The work stands as a testament to the potential of digital tools to transform and democratize the artistic process, encouraging individuals to re-envision the symbols that shape our public spaces.
