Between 30 August to 30 November, 10 locations across Downtown Kuala Lumpur will be infused with layers of interactive and colourful interventions, transforming into a vibrant digital playground for the Augmented Reality Festival Kuala Lumpur (AR FEST KL) with over 30 AR activations. The inaugural AR FEST KL promises four captivating elements, featuring living murals and fine art pieces, monumental digital sculptures as well as interactive AI historians, inviting audiences to explore the city through a new lens, blending past, present and future.

AR FEST KL’s four core programmes – StreetARt, ARca, ARtworks and CheritAR – will come alive across some of Kuala Lumpur’s most notable landmarks, from the National Art Gallery, National Textile Museum, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad and Victoria Fountain to the bustling streets of Jalan Sultan, Lorong Panggung, Jalan Petaling and Jalan Tun H.S Lee. Digital artworks can be found nestled among the nooks and crannies of Kwai Chai Hong, REXKL, GMBB and The Starhill.

Step Into Living Canvases With Street Art and ARca

StreetARt calls on Malaysians to rediscover the city and craft a new urban narrative by merging everyday murals into interactive canvas through AR. The striking works of mural artists such as Cloakwork, Co2, JimmyGummy, Kenji Chai & Quiccs, Norman Khek, Wan Jepah, etc. can now be reimagined through AR technology, unlocking deeper stories through energetic hues and playful digital elements. Standing tall on the facade of REXKL, the late graffiti artist Orkibal’s mural was purposefully selected as one of the AR canvases to honour his lasting influence on urban art and creative legacy.

ARca offers a geolocation-based adventure, where larger-than-life digital sculptures – from the iconic Wau Bulan, to the Kancil car, lush rainforests, Batik motifs, orangutans as well as nostalgic childhood mementos – are waiting to be discovered. Audiences are invited to dive deep into the explosively bold fusion of art and technology, where each AR sculpture is a vibrant reflection of Malaysia’s diverse culture and heritage, all set against the lively backdrop of The Starhill.

The AR works behind StreetARt and ARca are created by professional digital artists, creative technologists, lecturers and students from local universities. The creators were selected through an open call held in July 2024, and their creativity and technical excellence will be honoured at an awards ceremony taking place at the end of November 2024.

Fine Art in AR With Artworks

Among AR FEST KL’s most exciting showcases is ARtworks, where tradition meets technology in collaboration with the National Art Gallery, the heart of Malaysia’s artistic heritage. Through the integration of innovation, five iconic fine artworks – “Pago-Pago” by Abdul Latiff Mohidin, “Night in Langkawi” by A.J. Rahman, “Camera View of a Group of Laughing School Children” by Kok Yew Puah,

“Malaysian Life” by Chuah Thean Teng and “Enrique de Malacca by Ahmad Fuad Osman” – are complemented by interactive elements, offering audiences an immersive experience to appreciate and connect with the timeless essence of these masterpieces.

CheritAR: AI-Powered Avatar Historians

CheritAR seeks to reshape how Kuala Lumpur’s rich narratives are explored through AI-powered avatar historians. Located at three historical landmarks – Sultan Abdul Samad Building, National Textile Museum and Victoria Fountain, visitors are able to engage with captivating tales of the city’s past through animated storytelling and interactive technology, transforming a heritage walk around Dataran Merdeka into a dynamic journey. CheritAR is supported by Think City’s Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme and DBKL to create an intersection of history, culture and innovation throughout the city.

The festival is co-organised by EDT, Studio Behind 90 and Evertreasure. Made possible with the support of strategic partners including 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.

For further information about AR FEST KL, you can visit their website or follow their social platforms at @arfestkl.