Mexicráneos
An augmented reality app that brings a monumental skull to life: point your camera at the piece and its design comes alive before your eyes.
Augmented reality
Art and culture
Android
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An augmented reality app that brings a monumental skull to life: point your camera at the piece and its design comes alive before your eyes.
Mexicráneos is an annual event in Mexico in which artists from across the country decorate a monumental skull in their own artistic style. The pieces are then displayed in public spaces so anyone can see them.
For one of the participating skulls, we developed an augmented reality app that takes the artwork one step further: what is paint on the physical piece comes to life on screen as an animation.
The experience is straightforward: the visitor opens the app, taps the camera button and points it at Mictlantecuhtli, the lord of the underworld painted on the side of the skull. As soon as the app recognizes the design, the augmented reality content kicks in.
Over the camera image, the skull's emblem lights up: Mictlantecuhtli's eyes glow, a ring of fire spins around him and the animation stays anchored to the piece as the visitor moves.
The skull was displayed at the Chinampaxóchitl Museum in Xochimilco Ecological Park, Mexico City. Next to the piece, a QR code invited visitors to download the app and enjoy the experience on site.
