• VR and AR have been utilised in many other spheres apart from gaming
Image: Courtesy: Pinterest
When you hear art, most of you start thinking about galleries and museums, and some even are thinking and relating it to the well-known GoDown Arts Centre.
At least some cute date ideas and even art enthusiasm has pushed us to explore such spaces.
Except for sculptures and architecture, most traditional fine arts are two-dimensional.
Ideally, 2D art drawings and paintings are made on paper or canvas with acrylics, charcoal, chalk, coloured ink, oils, pencils, pastels or even watercolours.
Tech advancements have now made it easy to use digital techniques with 2D.
These artworks are now transformed into 3D images.
The third installation of the State-of-the-Art exhibition launched in Nairobi early this month.
I am a lover of art and boy was I impressed by the showcasing that was taking place at the Mall in Westlands.
Six artists have transformed their artwork to be viewed through virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
I have never experienced virtual reality, let alone augmented reality.
Yeah, I know it is weird despite us having very many spots for virtual reality gaming and the likes.
This was my first time.
It was pretty exciting to see artwork through virtual and augmented technologies.
The whole idea behind the exhibition is a call for the adoption of these technologies in many sectors of the economy.
Apart from gaming, VR and AR have been utilised in art, farming, health, education, recruitment and even real estate sectors.
VR requires a headset device as it is a fictional world while AR does not require a headset as its users are in contact with the real world but in a colourful way.
At the exhibition, I experienced the late Queen’s death, made my own mkokoteni at the Kamukunji market, traded with it at the Marigiti market, and basically had a feel of each of the artists’ imaginative worlds.
I was just hanging out in their bedrooms and their different made-up spaces.
It is an imaginative and exciting way to showcase different concepts of art.
Each artist has their own idea of how they see the world as every artwork almost always has a story behind it.
I connected with some of the pieces and made new friends with these artists.
This goes to show how technology is quickly being accepted in the society.
Who would ever think that we would be seeing visual art through VR and AR lenses?
I am proud that my motherland is quickly picking up as a home ground for Silicon Savannah.
This new journey is something to be often celebrated.
As the art culture is slowly transitioning to the digital space, artists can connect with a large audience.
That right there is motivating.
Interacting with the showcasing artists in Westlands made me realise that it is not always about money.
Some just want to be appreciated, seen and validated.
Buying the art is actually a plus for them.
One of them told me she just wants people to see how she connects her work to make pieces.
“My artwork is done in sets that are connected. This piece I have here has other two pieces that are not here,” she said.
“I linked my architecture background to art and I convert anything I have that is not in use to art.”
She is careful not to spoil the original copy of the object she is renovating.
With technology, artists these artists said they felt challenged.
This is because they have never thought to embed their work in VR or AR technology.
They even felt challenged to be more creative.
If you are yet to visit this exhibition, be sure to drop by and get to experience art away from shows, galleries and museums.
It is worth the try, I promise.
You will be surprised that you turn out to enjoy it even if you are not for the idea.
It is a really eye-opening experience.