@iSPARX™*what’s the hustle in 2024?!?
iSPARX™ - Sparking Innovation at the Convergence of Technology and Art
As a new initiative driving creative innovation through collaboration in the arts and technology, iSPARX™ has an exciting slate of groundbreaking projects set for launch in 2024.
Anchored by an unwavering focus on leveraging technology for social impact, these diverse initiatives aim to push the boundaries of interactive experiences while fostering inclusive communities of emerging talent.
Photographer Chris Cuffaro - Greatest Hits AR+artist™ App captures the "real" person behind famous faces. 35+ year career working with A-list entertainers to define their public image.
A key 2024 project is the Greatest Hits AR+artist™ app continuing development with legendary photographer Chris Cuffaro. Known for his portraits of celebrities like George Michael, Michael Hutchens, Nirvana and more, Cuffaro is now applying augmented reality and AI to let fans see the authentic personalities of stars from his 35+ year career. By overlaying animations, videos and music onto the iconic images, the app promises to bring these cultural icons to life while showcasing Cuffaro’s unmatched insider access.
Platform Calgary - A startup community and network to help tech companies launch, grow and scale in Calgary. 120+ service organisations, early stage to established members.
iSPARX™ is also teaming up with Platform Calgary, a network supporting over 120 local startups and scale-ups. Together they are developing ways to connect entrepreneurs with innovators in other fields to spark creative thinking and skills development through hackathons, incubator programs, and social impact challenges. The goal is to catalyse Calgary’s startup ecosystem while leveraging technology for community benefit.
Pātaka ART+Museum - Discover Porirua / Mana Island
TOIAGENCY - An agency supporting indigenous artists in navigating new media tech and preserving cultural heritage. Locations established at Porirua & Calgary.
toi.world™ HA-HA - Melbourne street artist Regan Tamanui known for stencil art, exhibits globally. The Perth residency; building Brunei & Melbourne, Porirua & Calgary.
Shelly Bay / Motu Kairangi - digital mapping of the area for preservation & conservation.
Indigenous empowerment through technology is a key focus area for iSPARX™ in 2024. One effort is helping launch TOI AGENCY, which assists indigenous artists in navigating emerging media and preserving cultural narratives. With locations in Porirua, NZ and Calgary, Canada, TOI AGENCY aims to build bridges between indigenous communities using virtual collaboration, generative art, XR exhibitions and digital artefact archives.
iSPARX™ is also collaborating with acclaimed Melbourne street artist Regan Tamanui, known on toi.world™ as HA-HA, on augmented exhibitions between Australia, Brunei and North America. Blending street art, animation and interactive elements, these shows aim to connect communities through impactful cultural experiences. A 2024 artist residency in Perth will further build toi.world™'s avant-garde aesthetic.
In addition, iSPARX™ is digitally mapping areas of cultural significance, like Shelly Bay/Motu Kairangi in Wellington, to enable heritage preservation and inform sustainable development. By overlaying archival materials using projection mapping, geospatial data, 3D modelling, and VR, these living archives will immerse people in the rich stories of each place.
But the highlight of iSPARX™ 2024 slate is an unprecedented AI-driven augmented reality installation ‘The Bison’. Developed with avant-garde composer Ant Smif, this immersive experience combines extended reality, real-time motion capture, and generative music informed by audiences' collective engagement. The result is a stunningly dynamic performance where each showing is unique.
Through initiatives like these, iSPARX™ aims to ignite innovation at the intersection of technology, inclusion and the arts. But creativity and human connections remain the spark. As founder Joff Rae puts it, "We must guide technology's evolution with humanity in mind."
