Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
APPROACHING a new angle of the arts, the recently-launched Riddoch Art Gallery exhibition Prosthetic Reality combines modern technology with classical still-life portraiture.
Hundreds gathered for the official opening on Friday evening through the hustle and bustle of Fringe Mount Gambier’s Lift-off Street Party.
eNVIsion Limestone Coast community manager Ben Deering highlighted the modern aspects of the exhibition to the community.
“You will see a lot of the smart technology we work with daily in play,” Mr Deering said at Friday night’s opening event.
“You may hear people talking about virtual reality (VR) but tonight we will focus on augmented reality (AR).
“It is literally a way of bringing the art work to life.”
With regular involvement with VR and AR, Mr Deering said he wanted the technology to no longer be seen as a “controversial median.”
“Around 16 pieces are on display at the gallery, mostly printed by admission from the book Prosthetic Reality,” he said.
“Two of the larger pieces were created by South East artists Anthony Hamilton and April Hague, which is fantastic to see.
“This opportunity enables people to try something new that can be an expensive platform.”
Mr Deering recognised gallery marketing officer Melissa Horton for her efforts in hand-drawing the animations involved.
Mr Deering warned the crowd on the night not to be confused with the title of the exhibition.
“If you have seen the title, it is not about limbs and it is nothing medical,” he said.
“This is a new technology in the arts world and is a really big coup the guys have pulled off.
“We now have an international level of standard here on display right in Mount Gambier.”
Mr Deering encourages people to download the app Eyejack and “take full advantage” of the displays.
“It is the one place where we will not say put your phones away, we want you to get them out,” he said.
Prosthetic Reality will be on display until April 22.
