South Australians will be able to experience the life cycle of a butterfly like never before, when a number of immersive virtual and augmented reality artworks are unveiled across the CBD this week.
Herding Caterpillars is part of Adelaide’s CreaTech City Challenge – an initiative funded by the South Australian Government, the City of Adelaide and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency.
The project follows the success of interactive public art experiences such as work presented as part of the Illuminate Adelaide festival and last year’s Van Gogh Alive.
Herding Caterpillars was developed using the same technology used by Disney and Pixar animation studios.
“Herding Caterpillars is an extraordinary achievement, and will no doubt inspire students in the Master of Virtual Production to create their own digital productions, knowing they too have access to the Void as part of their course,” says Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saint.
“This project is one that also highlights the work of the city in environmental sustainability and protection of our precious native biodiversity that has remained since the Park Lands were established,” added City of Adelaide CEO Clare Mockler.
Presented by Butterfly Conservation SA and creative producer Rosina Possingham with technology partners, CDW Animation, Flinders University’s The Void and Brewed Engagement Extended Reality (BEER) Laboratory (Labs). Herding Caterpillars involves augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences showcasing the life cycle of the Chequered Copper Butterfly – a rarely seen and recently re-discovered species found in Adelaide’s Southern Parklands.
“For me, the ability to share this unique story of symbiosis and collaboration between the caterpillar, ant and flower, in a fun, engaging way, has been an important driver behind this project,” says Rosina Possingham.
“I hope that by telling this story, all generations are inspired to look more closely at our natural world, and care more deeply about conservation of our Park Lands.”
Herding Caterpillars kicks off alongside the launch of the 10-day Nature Festival on 6 October. The AR experience will be available throughout the festival and involves a trail of three sculptures located throughout the Adelaide CBD, which visitors can interact with via their smart phones.
From 14 to 16 October, the State Library of South Australia will host the Herding Caterpillars VR experience featuring a 360-degree recording of butterflies, plants and ants interacting – delivered through supplied VR headsets.
Herding Caterpillars is one of three projects that uses highly visible creative technology (CreaTech) artworks to help revitalise the city as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
For information on the Nature Festival, visit: naturefestival.org.au.
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