'Unreal City': The public festival brings AR art to the streets of London

Cao Fei, KAWS and Olafur Eliasson are some of the artists whose work features in the 'Unreal City' festival. Photo: AFP

After making its way into our homes during this year's Covid lockdowns, augmented reality art is now ready to take the British capital by storm.

Over 30 virtual artworks are set to be "exhibited" along London's River Thames as part of a public festival running Dec 8 to Jan 5. The festival's 36 sculptures can be viewed via a free application from British company Acute Art, which is organising the "Unreal City" festival in partnership with Dazed magazine. The AR artworks will be arranged as a walking tour along the River Thames that Londoners can navigate by means of an interactive map, designed specially for the event by Acute Art.