Over the past several months, Southern Currents Film + Video Collective has partnered with PIX FILM Collective on a new mentorship and training initiative to teach a novel Augmented Reality and 360 Technology format to multidisciplinary Latinx artists. Now, we are excited to present the dedication and hard work of our eight selected artists in an outdoor transmedia exhibition. Digital art mingles with real environments through Augmented Reality in this collaborative project, titled “Site Unseen.”
Site Unseen is a conceptually innovative exhibition using a platform called ARTIFICIAL MUSEUM, originally conceived by the System Collective in Vienna (a syndicate of independent artists, makers, programmers, engineers, philosophers, activists, and scientists, collectively using art and technology to transform our world). This platform uses Augmented Reality and 360 technology to make GPS-anchored art accessible to the public via devices activated on-location or remotely. It transforms public spaces into a virtual gallery with no physical walls and limitations. Southern Currents and PIX FILM Collective is thrilled to join this international network, having developed our own extension of the network in Toronto.
Our selected artists for this project include Sojin Chun, Francisca Duran, Alexandra Gelis, Anahí González, Beatriz Juarez, Rosalina Libertad Cerritos, Lorena Salome, and Jesus Velez. Guided by 3D artist Jeff Tran and Madi Piller, they have been participating in online workshops, training sessions, and mentorship to adapt their artistic practice to this exhibition platform.
The project can be explored from home, or by visiting Philosopher’s Walk (start at Queen Alexandra Gateway, 209 Bloor St. West).
How to Access Site Unseen
This project can be explored:
On-location at Philosopher’s Walk. Start at Queen Alexandra Gateway (209 Bloor St. West) and access a map of the exhibition by scanning the QR code on your smart phone or visiting our Site Unseen web page.
From your computer at home. Navigate to our Site Unseen web page and scroll down.
Note: Viewing the project on-site allows you to interact live with the artwork in 360-degrees. Off-site viewing allows you to see the artwork from a distance. The work can still be seen in 360-degrees, and is placed in its corresponding location.
Instructions for viewing on an Apple device:
1. You must download a free WebXR viewer application on your smartphone.
2. Ensure that you have enabled location tracking for this app.
3. Go to our Site Unseen web page, scroll down, and click on or scan the QR code. Select the Toronto map to begin viewing the project.
4. Upon selecting an artwork, you will be prompted to see it in WebXR Viewer. When prompted by the app to grant permission for location tracking, allow it.
Instructions for viewing on an Android device:
1. Ensure that you have enabled location tracking for this app.
2. Go to our Site Unseen web page, scroll down, and click on or scan the QR code. Select the Toronto map to begin viewing the project. When prompted by the app to grant permission for location tracking, allow it.
Note: The Artificial Museum promises to never analyze, track or sell any data about you. The Artificial Museum will never save any data without asking explicitly.
Once you have navigated to the website, the steps will be the same no matter your phone…
1. Go to https://artificialmuseum.com/toronto
2. Zoom into your map, and select the exhibit where you are currently located.
3. Click on “Show 3D Experience.”
4. Grant the permissions for camera and microphone.
5. Now you can see the real world in front of you. Angle your camera towards the ground where you would like to see the artwork.
6. Hold your finger on the circle that has appeared.
7. Wait for the artwork to load.
8. Enjoy the artwork.
About PIX FILM Collective
At PIX FILM Collective we care about analog and digital filmmaking, hybrid and multidisciplinary experimentation.
PFC was created within the frame of experimental cinema, the organization want to capture non-fiction, abstract, avant-garde, animation, arts education with openness and inclusiveness.
We do: Art Actions!
Screenings: Analog and Digital, Sound+ Image Performances, Workshops, Discussions, Experimental and Hybrid Collaborations.
Creations: Research + Creation + Dissemination of multimedia and Hybrid work within the frame of the Studio Immersion Program.
Madi Piller is the Program Director.
About Madi Piller
Madi Piller is a filmmaker, animator, and independent curator currently living and working in Toronto, Canada. Born in Lima, Peru.
When she moved to Canada in 1999, she became involved in the grassroots, not for profit artist-run centre scene. She has worked as a volunteer, over a decade, tirelessly creating programming, promoting the production, distribution, and exhibition of independent animated work. For that she received the Ontario Citizenship Volunteer award in 2015.
She is a founding member and lead Artistic Director at PIX FILM Collective, a community advocate, helping to organize and inspire others to share conversations old and new innovations for which she created the PIX FILM Studio Immersion Program, giving artistic development opportunities to more than 25 artists to date, thanks to funding support of The Petman Foundation.
Madi’s curatorial projects include: Eleven in Motion: Abstract Expressions in Animation; Hello Amiga; OP ART Re- Imaged: Imaginable Spaces ( Co-Curated with Kate Wilson ); The Frame is the Keyframe: Frame Anomalies; FROM A to Z in Vienna; My Home Here in Peru.
She programs animation and experimental hybrid work nationally and internationally.
www.madipiller.com
www.pixfilm.com
About JEFF TRAN
Jeff Tran is a Vietnamese Canadian multimedia artist from Toronto. He works in computer animation as a storyboard, 3d layout and rigging artist. His short films received support from OAC, Canada Council and NFB and has screened worldwide at the New York, London, San Diego film festivals.
