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September 25, 2017

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Zhangyuan is ideal place to display art with an AR twist

A high quality art show is usually the preserve of museums or paid exhibitions. But the Nanjing Road W. Community is not so easily deterred.

Over the weekend, its art show, enlivened by the trendy augmented reality technology, or AR, was opened to residents free of charge at the historical Zhangyuan Garden.

“Zhangyuan is always so modern and fashionable. It is a great place to introduce new things,” said Su Xiaoyi, organizer of the event.

Nearly 20 photographs, from the Buddhist masterpiece Longmen Grottoes to the beautiful landscape of Snow Town, from a dedicate handmade paper umbrella to the traditional art form of inner painting, were among the items exhibited.

By scanning a photo via an app, visitors were able to see a video clip telling the history and story behind the picture.

“It’s common that people scan QR codes to have access to the videos. We replaced QR with photos, and visitors can directly see which works interest them,” said Su.

Displaying the exhibition in Zhangyuan is particularly apt as it was once a hub of all things modern and foreign. The garden was built in 1872 by a British merchant and later owned by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Shuhe, who made it a public gathering spot.

The park’s Arcadia Hall was the tallest building in Shanghai at that time.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chinese operas, magic shows, gambling and dining were on offer here.

However, newer indoor entertainment complexes such as cinemas put paid to its days of ruling the roost.

In 1919, the hall was turned into a private residence. Today, it is gaining back its past glory.

The art show is part of a cross-straits art project. A group of more than 20 cameramen from China’s mainland and Taiwan spent two years touring 150,000 kilometers across the country, visiting 70 natural and historical relics and interviewing 150 craftsmen. They finished their trek last year.

Besides the AR-added art show, the group also made a 3D film, called Bright Torch 3D. It was shown to residents over the weekend.

By the end of 2016, the show was awarded the 3D kiff Feature Film Best Picture.

Director Chuan Lee Chu, from Taiwan, said they not only recorded precious traditional art and natural landscapes, but also opened a window for people to perceive the beauty of Chinese culture and tradition.




 

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