Learn the stories behind 11 Scottsdale public works of art as you take your own guided tour with a new augmented reality app.
Using the Hoverlay mobile app, viewers can hold their cellphones up to a participating work of art and watch animated videos of artists and dignitaries sharing the behind-the-scenes story of each piece.
The feature was first unveiled during Scottsdale Public Art’s Canal Convergence in November.
“With these new AR capabilities, people can find out more about the artwork than they would get from a simple plaque,” said Wendy Raisanen, collections curator for Scottsdale Public Art, in a press release.
Raisanen is one of the AR characters that appear near the works of art.
“It was fun to tell stories about public art in front of the green screen and then see my avatar talking on the screen of my phone,” she said.
Some of Scottsdale’s most famous works of art are included
Artists Randall Nelson, Mary Bates Neubauer, and Curtis Pittman each appear in AR to talk about their artwork. Mark Reynolds, the title of the Navajo County’s Hashknife Posse, will speak on “Passing the Legacy” by Herb Mignery, and the Cosanti Foundation staff will speak on “Soleri Bridge and Plaza” by Paolo Soleri.
The AR experience also features animation with blooming cacti, time-lapse videos, and interesting facts.
The function can be accessed at any time. All that is needed is a mobile device and the hoverlay app.
By adding AR to public art, the community can experience art in the open air. It’s also an opportunity for Scottsdale Public Art to continue a variation on the 3.25-mile Cycle the Arts event this year, which was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“For the past several years, Scottsdale Public Art and the city have teamed up to do Cycle the Arts in one day because we would have artists and staff at every stop,” said Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker, Scottsdale public art manager Public art in a press release.
“This year, with AR technology, we can offer additional content for the stops at any time and in a safe, socially distant way. Cycle the Arts content is now available to anyone who comes across these works – whether they’re taking the tour on foot or even by car – beyond Valley Bike Month and year round. “
Take the bike ride and get yourself a t-shirt
Visit ScottsdalePublicArt.org/cycle-the-arts-2021/ to see this year’s curated bike tour and find out how to request a free Cycle the Arts t-shirt.
The 11 artworks currently offering AR experiences include:
- “Bronze Horse Fountain” by Bob Parks.
- “Diamond Bloom” by Curtis Pittman.
- “Horseshoe Falls” by Michael Maglich.
- “Knight Rise” by James Turrell.
- “LOVE” by Robert Indiana.
- “One-Eyed Jack” by John Randall Nelson.
- “Passing the Legacy” by Herb Mignery.
- “Soleri Bridge and Plaza” by Paolo Soleri
- “Spirt of Camelback” by Kana Tanaka
- “Traceries” by Mary Bates Neubauer.
- “Windows to the West” by Louise Nevelson.
Elizabeth Montgomery is an arts and culture reporter for the Republic of Arizona, azcentral.com. Reach them at [email protected] or 602-444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
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