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Augmented Reality As Documentary Driven Public Art

Whereas the public square was once the quintessential place to air grievances, display solidarity, express difference, celebrate similarity, remember, mourn, and reinforce shared values of right and wrong, it is no longer the only anchor for interactions in the public realm. The public square is where individual identity is transformed into national identity and collective action. As an artist, Freeman explores how the traditional forms of public art, such as monuments and memorials, might change in a mobile networked culture. Freeman will show examples and discuss the social, political and ethical issues raised by using augmented reality as a documentary driven public art form.

John Craig Freeman is an artist with over three decades of experience using emerging technologies to produce large-scale public work at sites where the forces of globalization are impacting the lives of individuals in local communities. With his work, he expands the notion of ‘public’ by exploring how digital technology and mobile networks are transforming our sense of place. He was a founding member of the international artists collective Manifest.AR, pioneering augmented reality art since 2010. He has produced work and exhibited around the world. Freeman is a Professor at Emerson College in Boston.

***This is a hybrid talk that will take place in-person at MIT AND on Zoom.
***Reminder that masking indoors is currently required at MIT regardless of vaccination status.
***In-person attendees must be registered in MIT’s CovidPass system. All others can join online.