augmented reality sundial bench by joshua barnes

augmented reality sundial bench by joshua barnes at LDF
all images courtesy joshua barnes

as opposed to the ‘on-demand’ nature of digital memories we have become accustomed to, the ‘shadow memories’ bench by designer joshua barnes ties the accessibility to the time and location when shadows are created through augmented reality. simultaneously working as a sundial, the arm rest acts as a ‘gnomon’, casting an hour line shadow onto the seat. users are encouraged to augment a video message on to the shadows it casts on the floor with an image-recognition AR software smartphone app. ‘by balancing together age-old and cutting edge technologies, the ‘shadow memories’ bench attempts to create new hybrid forms of meaning for its user,’ says barnes.  ‘the project also links together digital memories with the physical cycles of the sun,’ he adds says barnes. as the path of the sun changes throughout the year, each shadow it casts is unique to a particular time and day, providing a constant cycle of new tags and interactive reference points. the ‘shadow memories’ bench was recently exhibited during the 2013 london design festival.

project narration
video courtesy joshua barnes

the interactive sundial bench ties the accessibility to the time and location when shadows are created through AR

augment a video message on to the shadows it casts on the floor with image-recognition AR software

the arm rest acts as a ‘gnomon’, casting an hour line shadow onto the seat

each shadow throughout the year is unique to a particular time and day, providing a cycle of new AR image tags