Perth murals spring to life in augmented reality ArtWalk app

THE streets of Perth are being brought to life with the tap of an app.

To celebrate the opening of the Matagarup Bridge, Activate Perth created an augmented reality art trail for the EyeJack app, offering the estimated crowds of 8000 to 12,000 people walking from the city to Optus Stadium a unique path to explore.

Activate Perth executive chair Anne-Maree Ferguson said there had been a clear need to consider how people would walk to the new stadium, especially families with young children.

The Activated ArtWalk spans Forrest Place down Hay Street to the Matagarup Bridge.

“We want them to feel surprised and delighted,” she said.

“They can see spaces they’re familiar with in a different way.”

One of the 17 art sites is outside the WACA on the corner of Hay Street and Hale Street, with animator Alex Hare adding a special surprise to the local artwork.

“It’s a real wow factor, people think it’s really magic,” he said.

The original mural was created by George Domahindy with assistance from Challenger Institute of Technology’s Emma Margetts in late 2015.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said it had been fantastic to see the artwork animated.

“We created the mural a few years ago to have street art and be part of the city,” she said.

“We continue to try and make the ground as relevant to the public as possible.”

Anyone with the EyeJack app on their smartphone or tablet can point their camera at the art and see it move on their screen.

Ms Ferguson said along with being a hit with families, the ArtWalk had drawn many international visitors and unexpected social media traction, with walkers sharing their finds online.

To find out more, visit activateperth.com.au or download the free EyeJack app from the App Store or Google Play.