And over the next few months, the public is invited to discover a new side to the city’s rich culture, heritage and society, through the power of cutting-edge technology.
Discover worlds of wonder at the Augmented Reality Festival Kuala Lumpur (AR FEST KL), a first-of-its-kind Malaysian digital festival celebrating Augmented Reality (AR).
Through AR, iconic KL landmarks and cultural icons come alive in novel ways, through the creativity and innovation of local digital artists and technicians.
AR FEST KL will feature over 30 AR works, spread across the city’s attractions – REXKL, GMBB, Jalan Petaling, Kwai Chai Hong, Lorong Panggung, Dataran Merdeka and Jalan Tun HS Lee.
“AR FEST KL invites Malaysians to reimagine Kuala Lumpur, through the lens of AR innovation. It’s an opportunity to have fun while reflecting on how we can build a better future for the city,” said festival founder Fariz Hanapiah.
“We believe augmented reality is a technology with untapped potential, and what better way to explore it than by collaborating with our talented local artists?”
AR FEST KL 2024 is comprised of four core programmes:
StreetARt: Malaysians are invited to rediscover the city by transforming street murals by luminaries such as Cloakwork, Co2, JimmyGummy, Kenji Chai & Quiccs and Wan Jepah into lively, interactive virtual canvases.
One programme highlight is a mural by the late graffiti artist Orkibal, which stands as a tribute to his lasting influence on local street art.
At Kwai Chai Hong, four of its classic murals have been boosted with AR. One example is the famous “Kids Playing Marbles” mural by Chan Kok Sing, with technological touch-ups by AR artist Seeing Artelier.
“This is my first encounter with AR. I am very excited to see AR artists transform my artwork, and create a whole new experience with it,” Chan said at the festival launch.
Arca: Explore ground-breaking technology with digital sculptures activated in front of The Starhill, Bukit Bintang.
Each AR sculpture here is a vibrant reflection of Malaysia’s diverse culture and heritage: discover friendly orangutans, verdant rainforests, Kancil cars, wau bulan and more!
The AR works behind StreetARt and ARca were created by professional digital artists, creative technologists, lecturers and students from local universities, all selected through an open call held in July 2024.
ARtworks: In this collaboration with the National Gallery, five iconic Malaysian artworks – “Pago-Pago” by Abdul Latiff Mohidin; “Night in Langkawi” by AJ Rahman; “Camera View of a Group of Laughing School Children” by Kok Yew Puah; “Malaysian Life” by Chuah Thean Teng; and “Enrique de Malacca” by Ahmad Fuad Osman – are complemented by interactive elements, allowing audiences to connect with these masterpieces on a whole new level.
CheritAR: Explore Kuala Lumpur’s rich narratives in a brand-new way, with three AI-powered avatar historians, located at three historical landmarks: the Sultan Abdul Samad building, National Textile Museum and Victoria Fountain.
Visitors can engage with enthralling tales of the city’s past through animated storytelling and interactive technology.
To enjoy the festival, simply visit the locations featured in the festival (a map is available on ARKL’s website), and locate the QR code there. Scanning the code will open a feature on Instagram, allowing you to enjoy an AR-enhanced version of the scene before you.
“We strongly believe that extended reality, especially AR, has the potential to unlock new immersive experiences. Imagine a future where untold stories of KL are brought to life through AR animations, and you can explore the city with AR glasses,” Fariz concluded.
“That day is coming. We just need to wait for the hardware to catch up, and KL will be ready.”
AR FEST KL 2024
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Date: Now till Nov 30
For more information on AR FEST KL, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.