Spark has launched New Zealand’s first ever 5G Street Museum using augmented reality (AR) to bring some talented Kiwis’ stories to life.
Co-created with Parris Goebel, Benee, David Dallas, Teeks and Askew One, Kiwis across the country can view the 5G-Powered immersive experiences from selected streets in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The 5G Street Museum each has an exhibition that explores new forms of storytelling and self-expression through the power of 5G and AR.
Matt Bain, Spark Marketing Director, says the museum will demonstrate the capabilities of the 5G and AR technology to New Zealand through art, culture and entertainment.
“Over the decades we’ve seen how the wireless evolution has transformed how we engage with the world,” says Bain.
“1G enabled calls on the go, 2G introduced text messages, 3G gave us internet on the go, and 4G brought us video on demand. 5G promises to deliver another step-change in our experience.”
Read more: Inside Spark’s new Innovation Studio.
Bain adds that the 5G technology will “fundamentally change how we work, learn, connect and are entertained”.
With over 21 locations nationwide, the Spark 5G Street Museum will allow creators to express themselves using the speed and capability of the technology.
It will offer new ways to interact with the creator and content in immersive ways at scale and in “the highest definition possible”, Bain adds.
Kiwis can view the Spark 5G Street Museum by downloading the app and scanning QR codes featured at the exhibitions. The exhibit will be best viewed on a 5G network.
For the Spark 5G Street Museum, world-renowned dancer and choreographer Parris Goebel who has worked with the likes of Justin Bieber and Rihanna, will be sharing her newly choreographed dance to Aotearoa with the technology.
“To be able to create art in a world where I can do almost anything I want is super exciting. I worked with Spark in a purpose-built studio in Los Angeles, wearing a full-body motion capture suit that captured my every move which was then recorded and scanned to build an augmented reality avatar of myself,” says Goebel.
“The inspiration behind my exhibition is about unleashing the inner power that’s within us all. I wanted people to see the feeling I experience when I move – powerful, unstoppable, invincible and like a superhuman version of myself.”
As well as this, popular musician Benee will be welcoming Kiwis into the ‘Beneeverse’, an exhibit that showcases a “magical world where nature and imagination are flourishing”.
“My exhibition is about creating a place where my fans can step into my fantasy wonderland and be reminded of how rich, diverse and precious our world is,” says Benee.
For Māori artist Teeks, the use of 5G and AR was utilised to create an exhibit that draws on his connection with his tūpuna and whakapapa.
“My exhibition is about bringing this journey to life and through the intersection of technology and performance art, I hope this inspires young tamariki to dream big and embrace their whole identity,” says Teeks.
Kiwis can view the museum at Lorne St, Westfield Manukau and Commercial Bay in Auckland, Glover Park in Wellington, Cathedral Square in Christchurch and Meridian Mall Westfield Dunedin.
