The Augmented Reality Festival Kuala Lumpur (AR FEST KL) decorates downtown Kuala Lumpur through a unique, augmented reality experience, where the audience are able to interact and discover local artworks and elements through the AR lens. Available from 30 August to 30 November and in 10 locations, the AR FEST KL offers more than 30 AR activations for people to explore as they traverse through KL. From living murals and fine art pieces, monumental digital sculptures to interactive AI historians, the festival promises an unparalleled learning experience, allowing the audience to get to know the city and history through an interactive AR perspective.  

The AR FEST KL features four main programmes, which are:

1. StreetARt
2. ARca
3. ARtworks
4. CheritAR

The programmes will be available at various locations throughout downtown Kuala Lumpur. Eager explorers will be able to experience the programmes at popular landmarks such as the National Art Gallery, National Textile Museum, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad and Victoria Fountain, or even at the streets of Jalan Sultan, Lorong Panggung, Jalan Petaling and Jalan Tun H.S Lee. Uncovering the AR activations whilst adventuring through these locations would prove to be an interesting journey. The audience should also keep an eye out at Kwai Chai Hong, REXKL, GMBB and The Starhill, and they may just spot some digital artworks nestled within these locations. 

StreetARt

Rediscover various street art murals as they come to life through the technology of AR. With multiple artworks to peruse over, the AR FEST KL includes the works of various local mural artists such as Cloakwork, Co2, JimmyGummy, Kenji Chai & Quiccs, Norman Khek, Wan Jepah, Orkibal and more. With the help of AR, the artworks turn into living canvases by adding creative 2D and 3D animations, adding sound elements, and including added colours or typography. Notably, the mural by the late street artist Orkibal was also chosen to be featured in the festival. This is to highlight his deep-rooted influence in the country’s urban arts culture. 

ARca

With ARca, the audience are invited to explore the Starhill and discover astounding digital sculptures that highlight Malaysia’s culture and heritage. From Malaysia’s beautiful greenery with “A Forest Awakening”, emphasising the importance of forest preservation, to iconic mementos such as the “Malaysia’s Nostalgia AR-KADE” which includes various childhood elements that many – if not all – locals can relate to, and the “Wau Bulan” highlighting its significance to Malaysian culture. 

The AR works in both StreetARt and ARca were made possible thanks to the efforts of various professional digital artists, creative technologists, lecturers and students from local universities, giving a spotlight to these local talents. Their creativity and technical skills used to create the AR works will be celebrated at an awards ceremony, to be held by the end of November 2024. 

ARtworks

In collaboration with the National Art Gallery (NAG), a total of five iconic traditional artworks are showcased through the thrilling lens of AR. The artworks included are:

1. “Pago-Pago” by Abdul Latiff Mohidin
2. “Night in Langkawi” by A.J. Rahma
3. “Camera View of a Group of Laughing School Children” by Kok Yew Puah
4. “Malaysian Life” by Chuah Thean Teng
5. “Enrique de Malacca” by Ahmad Fuad Osman

With AR, the audiences are able to interact with the artworks and witness added digital elements, appreciating the timeless traditional works through a new perspective.

CheritAR

CheritAR takes the audience on a journey with AI. Showcased at three different historical landmarks, which are Sultan Abdul Samad Building, National Textile Museum and Victoria Fountain, visitors can find AI-powered historians which they can chat with and learn about the historical significance of the landmarks through an interactive storytelling experience.

The AR FEST KL is co-organised by EDT, Studio Behind 90 and Evertreasure, along with the support of Think City, DBKL, Filamen, GMBB, IMMERSE KL by MDEC, Inworld, KLIF, Kreatif KL Festival, Kwai Chai Hong, National Art Gallery, REXKL, The Starhill and RUBIX Communications to make this innovative festival a reality. 

For more information, visit the AR FEST KL website.