Flags Digital is an augmented reality app designed to supplement the visitor experience at Hans Peter Kuhn’s amazing art installation, Flags, at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland from 20th August to 4th November 2012.
German artist Hans Peter Kuhn’s installation embedded in the dramatic landscape of the Giant’s Causeway creates a new visitor experience. The work, located just beyond the stones themselves, stretches along the length of the bay of Port Noffer.
Visitors will first view the natural beauty of the Giant’s Causeway then continue along the trail to discover another view, this time man-made.
The work is a series of flags randomly positioned along the trail and the banks of the cliff face directly related to nature, drawing on the natural power of the elements.
The flags, red on one side and on the other yellow, will rotate freely in the wind. Depending on the strength and direction of the wind the viewer will see a flickering pattern of red and yellow set against the backdrop of this spectacular landscape, generating a strange form of binary code transmitting nature’s message. Flags emanates a quiet, contemplative power perfectly compatible with the surrounding landscape.
Produced by the third space gallery.
This project is commissioned by the London 2012 Festival, with partnership funding from Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Flags Digital was conceived by Anthony Lilley of Magic Lantern Productions and produced by WeHeartDigital Ltd with the assistance of Professor Paul Moore at the University of Ulster, Londonderry.
About the app
Based on London 2012 Festival’s first digital work, @ThisTimeofYear which premiered at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival, Flags Digital uses video to bring users into the mind of the artist who created this iconic work. Whilst exploring the location and the landscape and, of course, the artwork itself, users will be able to see and hear about the ideas, inspirations and challenges which made this work possible all the time hearing a specially created soundscape generated in response to the flags and their location. Maybe they will even find out what it all means?
By following a series of arrows and animations, users will be directed to five specific locations on the site of the Giant’s Causeway, starting with the Visitor Centre. At each location, Hans Peter Kuhn will explain some of his thinking about the work, the location, his inspiration and working process and the challenges of bringing art to an iconic and remote location such as The Giant’s Causeway. Users can also take photos and contribute to social networks from within the app (subject to available data connections).