Vancouver Mural Festival launches digitally charged Winter Arts February 12 to 28
More than 20 interactive augmented-reality works will pop up in the city’s core
Rendering of VMF Winter Arts augmented reality by artist Saida Saetgareeva in downtown Vancouver
THE VANCOUVER MURAL FESTIVAL’s new Winter Arts will blend virtual and real worlds from February 12 to 28 in public spaces across Vancouver’s core.
The interactive, open-air gallery will feature Augmented Reality art by local and international artists.
It’s the latest initiative by the fest as it reimagines ways for people to connect with art during these socially distanced pandemic times. VMF covered the downtown’s boarded-up streetscapes with #MakeArtWhileApart during the first part of the pandemic in spring 2020. Then, last summer, it reimagined and expanded its annual outdoor mural fest.
For the VMF Winter Arts event, the group partners with the Downtown Vancouver BIA to present works you can interact with via smartphone.
Winter Arts features artists from Vienna, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh, Dallas and 10 local artists from Vancouver, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh. BIPOC artists and curators make up over 50 percent of the 2021 roster.
With the help of VMF’s mobile app (available to download for free from the App Store and Google Play), Vancouverites can safely explore the city and find all AR locations while following COVID protocols. Alternatively, downloadable maps can be found on the vanmuralfest.ca website.
In addition, the Vancouver Public Library will host a series of free online public workshops and discussions to highlight participating artists.
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