Augmented reality is changing the way we view art and internationally recognised artist, illustrator and muralist, George Rose’s new work is set to be the Sunshine Coast’s first animated mural in Caloundra – fast-becoming the Sunshine Coast’s cultural hub with its vast array of street art, galleries and laneways.
Commissioned by Sunshine Coast Council, this new work with the AR animation is a collaboration between Melbourne-based artist, George Rose and digital artist, Stu Campbell, founder of the EyeJack app, a free platform where visitors can view the animated work through their mobile device.
“The mural is inspired by local Sunshine Coast fauna and flora – Agassiz perchlet, Dog Roses and Ravine Orchids and when the Eyejack app is downloaded onto a mobile device, the fish will literally come away from the wall and swim around people and the flowers will open and close,” said Rose.
“This technology allows for my work to be incredibly interactive with its viewer and encourages people to have fun with the work.”
Rose has an obsession with painting large walls and not taking life too seriously. This has led to her travelling the world and being commissioned by the likes of Instagram, Jansport, Mastercard, Melbourne Central and Star Wars to name a few.
If she’s not completing work for commercial projects, she’s on the global street art festival circuit including Colour Tumby, First Coat, Perfect Match, Roskilde, Street Prints, Tropica, Wall to Wall and Wonderwalls.
“I am in love with colour, typography, finding excuses to spending most of my time outdoors, up ladders and covered in paint,” said Rose.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to create something unique on the streets of Caloundra.”
Sunshine Coast Council Public Art Curator Julie Hauritz said that said that Caloundra was fast becoming a creative hub with a dynamic program of public art and cultural activities.
“Public art contributes to a region’s identity while building a sense of community belonging and wellbeing,” Ms Hauritz said.
“We are thrilled that George Rose’s work will be featured in Caloundra and look forward to launching the AR animation in the coming weeks.”
The work, based at the top end of Bulcock Street, is just one of many walls that have been transformed by artists in Caloundra.
George Rose will be giving an artist talk in the Caloundra Regional Gallery Artspace workshop space at 1pm on Saturday, October 13, followed by a walk to the artwork for a close-up discussion about the work itself.
The public are welcome to watch George Rose painting the work onsite until midday on Saturday, October 13 and return in early November for a formal unveiling of the artwork with the dynamic animated augmented reality experience.
For more information about council’s public art collection and a map of the Caloundra Public Art Trail visit council’s website – www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/arts
