The much anticipated augmented reality (AR) art exhibition titled Seeing the Invisible has launched at the iconic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
The exhibition will premiere as one of 12 participating gardens across six countries.
Kirstenbosch is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Set against the Eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, it’s truly a local treasure that we can’t get enough of.
The ground-breaking exhibition offers locals and tourists alike an opportunity to experience the known-and-loved gardens in a completely new way.
“It’s an honour for Kirstenbosch to be included in the Seeing the Invisible global exhibition, it will be a first of its kind in a SANBI National Botanical Garden. We’re also pleased that it is an environmentally friendly exhibition, it will require no artworks to be shipped; no electronic hardware or structures to be set up in the garden – resulting in no disruption to the garden and no wastage of materials,” Werner Voigt, Kirstenbosch Curator said.
Without disturbing the preservations, and keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum, the exhibition addresses themes pertaining to nature, environment, and sustainability and explores the boundaries and connections between art, technology, and nature.
Visitors will be able to observe 13 contemporary artworks from internationally acclaimed artists by means of the Seeing the Invisible app.
The app is GPS-based and will identify your location in real time upon entering Kirstenbosch. The app will present the garden map with the exhibition route and locations of the AR artworks around it.
Walking along the designated route, once a visitor physically reaches the vicinity of an artwork, the app will automatically notify the visitor and will present simple instructions for pointing the device’s camera towards the ground to initiate the AR experience.
Seeing the Invisible continues the efforts to present and discuss art in the current pandemic crisis, while also allowing local communities to be exposed to the forefront of international contemporary art.
The exhibition is co-curated by Hadas Maor and Tal Michael Haring, and has been organised by the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens and Outset Contemporary Art Fund.
Tips and details:
- The Seeing the Invisible app works on Android and iPhones not older than three years.
- It’s recommended to download the app from the Google Play or App Store prior to arriving at Kirstenbosch.
- Complimentary WIFI will be available from the Visitor Centre (Gate 1) to download the app, but there is no wifi along the art route. Visitors must use their own data to use the app.
- Bring earphones/headphones to experience the exhibition with all your senses.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start.
- Be mindful of other visitors’ private space as well as the plant beds and installations.
The Seeing the Invisible exhibition runs from September 22 2021 to August 2022. It will be held inside Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, located off Rhodes Drive, Newlands in Cape Town.
Kirstenbosch and the exhibition will be open every day. Entry to the exhibition is free but garden entry fees apply. Botanical Society (BotSoc) members with membership cards will gain free access to the garden and exhibition.
For more information visit Seeing the Invisible.
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