Kuala Lumpur: A City of Wonder and Discovery Through Augmented Reality
Kuala Lumpur is more than just Malaysia’s capital city: it’s a living tapestry of tales, full of fascinating people and places waiting to be discovered. 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 AR FEST KL
AR FEST KL, a first-of-its-kind Malaysian digital festival celebrating Augmented Reality (AR), 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. 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: Four Core Programmes
The festival is comprised of four core programmes: StreetARt, Arca, ARtworks, and CheritAR.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
How to Enjoy the Festival
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.
Conclusion
AR FEST KL is an opportunity to reimagine Kuala Lumpur, through the lens of AR innovation. It’s a chance to have fun while reflecting on how we can build a better future for the city. As Fariz Hanapiah, festival founder, notes, “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?”
Frequently Asked Questions
- When: Now until November 30
- Where: Kuala Lumpur
- How to participate: Visit the locations featured in the festival, locate the QR code, and scan it to enjoy an AR-enhanced version of the scene
- For more information: Visit the AR FEST KL website or follow them on Instagram