This project is both an art study of a Japanese woodblock print and an attempt to render a print into a digital, augmented reality medium for educational purposes.
This project animates the construction and deconstruction of a 19th century Japanese woodblock triptych print using AR programming. The re-creation of the work within the Adobe AR program illustrates the creation process of the works to increase knowledge of woodblock printing methods. The re-construction of the works in this way will hopefully also increase accessibility to this knowledge. Viewers are able to see the works come alive and move, changing how the art can be experienced, no matter the audience’s environment and elevating the art viewing experience within the museum. Interactive elements are present within the piece, allowing people to trigger the construction and deconstruction of the work. Information bubbles can also be triggered, informing viewers of the pieces’ history, printing methods, and observations from the project, such as areas where the print and AR recreation differ. In pointing out these differences, the project aims at helping people appreciate the woodblock artistic method and explore both the advantages and disadvantages of the digital versus paper mediums.
The first installation includes the higher quality render of the re-creation in full detail, along with drop down information about the artist, print, artist seals and stamps, and key features.
The second installation includes an animation of colors being built onto each panel, along with a subtle animated movement of the three court ladies and information on woodblock printing and Meiji era art.
This installation shows the color layers of the left panel side by side. (Note: this installation requires a long vertical surface)