Pushing the boundaries of augmented reality and tracking technology, the abstract sculpture Native Tongue takes on new dimensions. Using photogammetry, the artist captured digital overlays of the 3 meter (10 feet) high ancient kauri sculpture to project at a 1:1 scale into the real world. Through the camera of an iOS mobile phone or tablet, viewers were able to explore the sculpture in fully immersive 3D space, moving around it and experiencing its size and presence. Close inspection revealed the exquisite wood grain of the ancient kauri, carbon-dated to over 45,000 years, a once buried treasure/taonga that predates cave drawing and the last Ice Age.
At the forefront of creative technology, the digital representation of the sculpture sparks curiosity and challenges our understanding of matter, time, and space. Situated amidst the towering skyscrapers of New York, at MOMA or within the sculpture park grounds of Storm King NY, Native Tongue AR seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, offering glimpses of new possibilities in familiar settings. As a messenger from the past, the free-spirited artwork leaves a light footprint and promotes future-focussed narratives.