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AR Theater Blurs Life and Death
28 Feb
Summary
- Augmented reality theater piece uses Magic Leap 2 glasses.
- Volumetrically captured actors appear as holographic performers.
- Experience felt like a memorial-like meditation on life after death.
An augmented reality theater piece, 'An Ark,' recently showed at The Shed in New York City, utilizing Magic Leap 2 glasses for its audience. This innovative production featured volumetrically captured actors, including Sir Ian McKellen, who appeared as holographic performers within the theater space. Attendees experienced a unique blend of virtual and physical presence, finding the show to be an emotional and haunting memorial-like meditation on the liminal space after death.
The experience aimed to explore the future of physical theater by presenting real actors in a virtual format. While the technology allowed for intimate performances where actors seemed to make eye contact, challenges remain. The limited field of view on the AR glasses and the difficulty of synchronizing virtual experiences for multiple users in a shared physical space were noted.
Despite these technological hurdles, 'An Ark' offered a compelling look at how augmented reality can be used for shared artistic experiences. The $45, 45-minute show highlighted the potential for virtual togetherness, even if widespread adoption of the necessary hardware is still in the future. The performance left attendees reflecting on the real world, finding magic in the virtual experience.
