A Window to reality
Transforming empty shop windows into augmented reality galleries.
A Window to Reality was a pioneering Graff.io Arts project that reimagined disused town centre shop windows as dynamic gallery spaces through augmented reality technology. Launched on Friday 29th November 2019, the installation kicked off with work by Kris Trigg at the first empty shop location in Loughborough: the old Burton's Menswear at 19-21 Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB.
Engaging directly with the decline of town centre shopping, the project repurposed abandoned retail windows as portals for experiencing contemporary art. By pointing a digital device equipped with the Graff.io Arts app at artwork displayed in these windows, an additional layer of reality appeared, revealing artists at work with accompanying audio descriptions. This innovative approach transformed the streets of the city into an alternative, curated venue for broader and unexpected exposure to the arts.
The project offered artists complete creative freedom with just one constraint: they had only 24 hours to complete their work before it would be destroyed, existing solely in the virtual domain thereafter. A time-lapse documentation of the creative process essentially became the artwork itself—a theatrical performance viewable through augmented reality. The irony was inescapable: using technology to encourage people to venture outside and experience the real world.
Viewers were offered a glimpse into the creative process typically reserved for gallery spaces, experiencing it within their daily routines. The combination of convenience and exposure to artistic practice aimed to flatten the learning curve often associated with arts engagement and understanding. The project demonstrated how new technologies, collaboration, and fresh thinking could unlock public spaces as hybrid commercial and creative locations for the betterment of all.
Project Lead: Steven Barradell
Creative Direction: Guy Boyle
Head of Video: James Poole
Digital Media & Documentation: Andy Harper
Featured Artists: Installation 001: Kris Trigg, Installation 002: Mono, Installation 003: Taylor Fisher, Installation 004: Jay Clarke, Installation 005: Liam Proudman, Installation 006: Agata Tomaszek
Company: Graff.io Arts
Location: Old Burton's Mensware, 19-21 Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB
Year: 2019-2020
Support: The Arts Council
Medium: Augmented Reality, Site-Specific Installation, Performance Documentation
Creative Direction: Guy Boyle
Head of Video: James Poole
Digital Media & Documentation: Andy Harper
Featured Artists: Installation 001: Kris Trigg, Installation 002: Mono, Installation 003: Taylor Fisher, Installation 004: Jay Clarke, Installation 005: Liam Proudman, Installation 006: Agata Tomaszek
Company: Graff.io Arts
Location: Old Burton's Mensware, 19-21 Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB
Year: 2019-2020
Support: The Arts Council
Medium: Augmented Reality, Site-Specific Installation, Performance Documentation
Installation 001
Kris Trigg
Kris Trigg
Friday 29th November 2019 kicked off with our first installation featuring Kris Trigg AKA @Sketcherkris at our inaugural empty shop location in Loughborough: the old Burton's Menswear. Work was displayed for a limited period at The old Burtons, 19-21 Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB.
Installation 002
Mono
Mono
A Window to Reality #002 featured Mono, also known as Leigh Drummond. Visitors could view Mono's work at the old Poundland, Loughborough as of January 2021.
Installation 003
Taylor Fisher
Taylor Fisher
A Window to Reality #003 featured Taylor Fisher, a Loughborough-based artist working at Modern Painters, New Decorators. Taylor Fisher's piece was live from late 2019/early 2020 at Modern Painters, New Decorators, Unit 33, Carillon Court, Loughborough LE11 3XA.
Installation 004
Jay Clarke
Jay Clarke
A Window to Reality #004 was completed with Jay Clarke on 21st January 2020. Visitors could view Jay's work in Carillon Court, available until the end of February 2020.
Installation 005
Liam Proudman
Liam Proudman
A Window to Reality #005 featured Liam Proudman. Visitors could view Liam's work at The Old Hospital Court, Loughborough LE11 1TH for Winter 2019/20 only.
Installation 006
Agata Tomaszek
Agata Tomaszek
A Window to Reality #006 showcased Agata Tomaszek's installation at the old Poundland, Loughborough.
Each installation could be experienced through the Graff.io Arts AR app by pointing a mobile device at the window displays, revealing additional layers of content including time-lapse documentation of the artistic process and audio commentary.
