Royal Academy of Dance Unveils its Latest Public AR Experience
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has launched an innovative augmented reality (AR) experience for the public and guests alike.
In an effort to bring the traditional art form of ballet into the wider community, the RAD has placed striking augmented reality visuals outside its headquarters in Wandsworth, London.
These AR visuals briefly showcase professional ballet dancers, Dan Harrison and Genevieve Heron, performing on the building’s forecourt, transforming the outdoor space into an immersive stage.
Augmented reality graphics (ARGs) are computer-generated images that enhance real-world environments, appearing within a real-time view of the physical surroundings.
Using their iPhones, visitors can bring the dancers to life. By scanning the QR codes embedded in the designs, they are drawn into the augmented digital world, witnessing each dancer spin and leap right before their eyes.
This AR experience is part of the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition, organised by the RAD, which runs in London from 1–8 September. The competition culminates on 8 September at His Majesty’s Theatre in the West End, where the finest young dancers from around the world gather for a week of performances at RAD’s headquarters.
This augmented reality experience offers audiences and passersby a new way to engage with the excitement and wonder of this prestigious dance event.
Alexander Campbell, the Artistic Director of the RAD, shared his thoughts on the installation, noting that the aim was for visitors and passersby to engage with the art form of ballet in a fresh and thrilling manner as part of The Fonteyn celebrations.
The augmented reality visuals create the illusion of dancers performing right in front of the viewer, giving the impression that they are dancing in the same space. It has been a pleasure to see this project come to life, and there is hope that as many people as possible will visit the beautiful headquarters to experience it.
This artwork demonstrates how fusing contemporary digital technology with an older form of art may draw in new viewers to the field of dance in addition to being an innovative utilisation of the outside area of the RAD HQ.
The exhibit is available for viewing until 15 September.
