Key definitions and concepts are central to the clarity and success of this research. The term suspension of disbelief refers to a user’s ability to accept virtual elements as part of their perceived reality, temporarily overlooking the artificial nature of the experience. This concept is critical to understanding how AR environments create immersive and engaging experiences. Acceptance of virtual elements refers to the extent to which users integrate these digital components into their perception of the physical world, influencing their overall interaction and engagement levels.
App *powered by iSPARX™
The AR+concierge™ project will be installed at three distinctive locations: academyEX in Auckland, New Zealand; Pātaka ART+Museum in Porirua, New Zealand; and Platform Calgary - Innovation Centre in Calgary, Canada. Each of these locations will feature a temporary, pop-up interactive digital art installation as part of the project’s exploration into multi-user Augmented Reality (AR) environments. These diverse settings will provide unique opportunities to test and analyze how different audiences engage with AR experiences in cultural, educational, and innovation-driven environments.
Artists by TOIAGENCY | GMA
Pū Rakau by Paku
Pūrakau Paku is an interactive AR experience designed to teach children the Māori alphabet and cultural stories. Using traditional Māori designs and symbols, the Paku blocks, combined with an AR app, bring to life stories about Māori deities and culture. This educational tool connects young users to mātauranga Māori through immersive, bilingual learning experiences.
HA-HA
HA-HA is an AR experience that explores the idea of humor and absurdity within Māori culture. It aims to challenge traditional perceptions of art by combining Māori narratives with playful, surreal AR visuals, encouraging users to engage with the cultural content in a lighthearted way.
Ruatoki by Tāme Iti
This AR artwork by Tāme Iti brings to life the stories and cultural heritage of the Ruatoki region, a place significant to the Tuhoe people. Using AR technology, viewers can interact with the history and personal narratives tied to the land, as told through Tāme Iti’s artistic vision.
Locations - academyEX | Pātaka | Platform Calgary
academyEX, Auckland, New Zealand
academyEX is a leading educational institution based in Auckland, known for its forward-thinking approach to learning and innovation. It provides a collaborative environment for educators, entrepreneurs, and technologists to explore new ideas in digital education and experiential learning.
Installation Concept:
At academyEX, the AR+concierge™ installation will serve as a fusion of education and digital art, designed to engage students, faculty, and visitors with interactive AR experiences. The installation will include a 360° AR portal that allows users to enter a virtual space, blending digital content with the physical environment of the academy. This will be a temporary pop-up installation where users can interact with virtual objects and elements tied to educational themes, offering an innovative way to explore digital literacy and immersive learning .
Audience & Impact:
The installation is expected to draw students, educators, and innovators, creating a dynamic space where users can explore the potential of AR in learning and creativity. The multi-user interaction will allow participants to share experiences, enhancing engagement through collaborative learning.
Pātaka ART+Museum, Porirua, New Zealand
Pātaka ART+Museum is one of New Zealand’s leading museums, renowned for its dedication to showcasing contemporary art and Maori and Pacific culture. Located in Porirua, Pātaka offers a vibrant cultural space that merges tradition with modernity, making it an ideal site for AR+concierge™.
Installation Concept:
At Pātaka ART+Museum, the AR+concierge™ installation will take the form of an interactive digital artwork that allows visitors to explore Maori and Pacific art in new and immersive ways. The pop-up installation will blend physical artworks with virtual elements, enhancing visitors’ understanding of the stories, symbolism, and cultural significance of the exhibits. Users will be able to interact with 3D representations of traditional artifacts and contemporary art pieces, using AR to bring static objects to life through motion and sound .
Audience & Impact:
The installation is designed to appeal to a broad audience, including local communities, tourists, and art enthusiasts. It will deepen cultural engagement by providing an enriched, interactive experience that emphasizes the connection between traditional art and cutting-edge technology. The multi-user AR environment will encourage visitors to experience art collectively, fostering a deeper communal connection to the cultural narratives displayed.
Platform Calgary - Innovation Centre, Calgary, Canada
Platform Calgary is a hub for innovation, located at the heart of Calgary’s tech ecosystem. The Innovation Centre fosters entrepreneurship and innovation, providing resources and space for startups, innovators, and creative thinkers to collaborate and develop groundbreaking technologies.
Installation Concept:
At Platform Calgary, the AR+concierge™ pop-up will be a digital art installation focused on innovation and technology. The interactive AR experience will invite visitors to explore the creative potential of augmented reality in problem-solving, technology, and innovation. Participants will navigate through virtual environments, collect digital items, and interact with futuristic digital content that mirrors the mission of Platform Calgary as a leader in tech innovation .
Audience & Impact:
Targeting entrepreneurs, innovators, and the tech community, this installation will provide an opportunity to see how AR can enhance creative thinking and business innovation. It will serve as an interactive showcase for how AR technology can be used in creative industries, potentially inspiring new business ideas and digital strategies among participants. The shared AR experience will also promote networking and collaborative problem-solving among visitors.
Common Elements Across Locations
While each installation will be tailored to its specific environment and audience, the core features of AR+concierge™—multi-user interaction, immersive 360° experiences, and digital object interaction—will remain consistent across all three locations. The pop-up nature of these installations ensures flexibility, allowing each location to engage its audience with cutting-edge AR technology in a temporary, yet impactful, setting. Real-time analytics collected from each site will provide valuable data on user engagement, interaction patterns, and the overall impact of multi-user AR environments .
These locations offer unique opportunities to test the potential of AR+concierge™ across different cultural, educational, and innovative landscapes, making them ideal environments for this project’s research and development.
Workshops | Expert Panel Discussions
WORKSHOPS
Schedule
2 Day Workshop Series for AR+concierge™ Installations
Day 1
Arts, Culture and GLAM sector
Tech, Innovation and Media sector.
Morning - Welcome and Introduction / Discussion Session
Morning: Introduction and Discussion Session
Overview of AR+concierge™ and interactive technologies in various sectors.
Experts and Practitioners (4 - 5); Art, Culture and GLAM sector.
2 hours / 4 or 5 prompts
Day 2
Retail, Events, and Corporate
Morning - Discussion Session
Retail and Events Focus - Discussion Session
Experts and Practitioners (4 - 5); Retail, Events, and Corporate sector.
2 hours / 4 or 5 prompts
Evening: Panel Discussions and Networking
Discussion with industry leaders on the future of AR in art, education, and commerce.
Networking session for all groups.
*this schedule ensures coverage of artistic, technical, and commercial applications of AR technology, engaging all attendee groups effectively.
Sessions
Morning - Discussion Sessions
*sessions will be recorded; 2 x XC10 cameras; portable audio recording device; lapels.
*format:
seated around a table
4 or 5 participants;
a facilitator and 2 x assistants
4 prompts are given to the participants - eg. “what is your understanding of the term ‘Suspension of Disbelief’ A profile of each expert will be checked; permissions of use of the discussion and agreement for approval prior to publish will be provided.
LATER, IN JUNE…
Afternoon Workshops - Up to 20 participants and AR+ team.
3 hours sessions around a presentation or discussion as described.
*potential
keynote or formal presentation on relevant subject
guest presentation
artists
practitioners
developers
creatives
events
retail
education
corporate
GLAM
culture
media
engagement
The AR+IQ platform is a bespoke immersive media solution that integrates Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and geospatial mapping to create dynamic, interactive user experiences. Designed for industries such as tourism, retail, and education, AR+IQ enables personalised engagement through AI-driven recommendations, interactive digital storytelling, and real-time analytics.
This tailored platform seamlessly blends digital content with physical spaces, offering location-based experiences that enhance user immersion and engagement . With a strong ethical foundation, AR+IQ ensures cultural sensitivity and data privacy, making it a cutting-edge solution for businesses seeking innovative and meaningful audience interactions.
Your own 3D animated character or interactive avatar - The AR+concierge™ is a unique character that can take many forms - animated or static figures to suit the installation & purpose, they treat each user of your AR+ app as an individual providing a personalised & direct engagement - true immersive activations & experiences.
AR+concierge™ have developed character & purpose. With a scalable Ai element installed the AR+concierge™ can be your representative at POS, reception, retail or event location. Introduce your audience to interactive & dynamic information, directions & games - the experiential possibilities are limited by your imagination.
