seeing the invisible: ai weiwei, el anatsui + more exhibit AR works at gardens across the globe

a ‘phygital’ experience at twelve different gardens

‘seeing the invisible’ is an augmented reality contemporary art exhibition featuring 13 AR works by ai weiwei, el anatsui, sigalit landau, refik anadol and more, simultaneously on view at 12 different gardens around the world. curators hadas maor and tal michael haring worked with the artists to select existing works as well as commission new ones, and to position these in unique spots in each of the participating botanical gardens. the participating gardens all present the same exhibition, but as the works are augmented into the unique surroundings and context of each garden, the exhibition is experienced differently against the backdrop of each location. since the works cannot be experienced online, but require viewers to physically visit the gardens, they offer a ‘phygital’ experience combining the physical location and the digital manifestation.detail image of el anatsui, AG + BA (AR), 2014/2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada

courtesy of the artist, october gallery, london, and goodman gallery, london

header image: detail image of mohammed kazem, directions (zero), 2010/2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada. courtesy of the artist

led by the jerusalem botanical gardens and outset contemporary art fund, ‘seeing the invisible’ debuts simultaneously this september in australia, canada, england, israel, scotland, south africa, and the united states. the open-air exhibition continues the efforts to present and discuss art in the current pandemic crisis, while also allowing local communities to be exposed to the forefront of international contemporary art. a total of 13 augmented reality (AR) works by established artists from various countries can be viewed upon visiting the participating botanical gardens and through the ‘seeing the invisible’ mobile app developed for this project. participating artists are ai weiwei, jakob kudsk steensen, sarah meyohas, timur si-qin, isaac julien CBE, ori gersht, refik anadol, el anatsui, pamela rosenkranz, mohammed kazem, mel o’callaghan, daito manabe, and sigalit landau.detail image of ai weiwei, gilded cage (AR), 2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada. courtesy of the artist

setting the digital experiences inside botanical gardens, without disturbing the surroundings, and keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum, the project addresses themes concerning nature, environment, and sustainability. ‘both bleak and hopeful, each artwork offers a unique perspective on these unresolved issues, creating thought-provoking, experiential, and contemplative spaces for the viewers to immerse in,’ notes the exhibition’s description text. ‘as viewers are invited to explore the botanical gardens and actively locate the artworks scattered throughout them, they must use technological devices to establish the digital works into existence and, in many cases, experience the way their own physical presence affects the work and changes its course, further exploring the interrelations between the ‘art object’ and the self.’

detail image of jakob kudsk steensen, water serpent, 2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada. courtesy of the artist

detail image of sigalit landau salt stalagmite #1 [three bridges], 2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada. courtesy of the artist

sigalit landau, salt stalagmite #1 [three bridges], (detail), 2021

detail image of mel o’callaghan pneuma, 2021, marie selby botanical gardens, sarasota, florida. courtesy of the artist, galerie allen, paris, kronenberg mais wright, sydney and belo- galsterer, lisbon

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detail image of mel o’callaghan pneuma, 2021, royal botanical gardens, ontario, canada. courtesy of the artist, galerie allen, paris, kronenberg mais wright, sydney and belo- galsterer, lisbon

mel o’callaghan, ‘respire, respire’, 2019, dielectric glass, 1500cm diameter, installation view, uq art museum, brisbane, 2020, photo: clemens habicht

el anatsui, AG + BA, 2014 aluminium, copper wire and nylon rope, dimensions variable. courtesy the artist and october gallery, london. photo jonathan greet

el anatsui, AG + BA, 2014 aluminium, copper wire and nylon rope, dimensions variable. courtesy the artist and october gallery, london. photo jonathan greet

detail image of ai weiwei, gilded cage (AR), 2021, marie selby botanical gardens, sarasota, florida. courtesy of the artist

detail image of ori gersht, forget me not, 2021, jerusalem botanical gardens. courtesy of the artist

project info:

name: seeing the invisible

participating artists: ai weiwei, jakob kudsk steensen, sarah meyohas, timur si-qin, isaac julien CBE, ori gersht, refik anadol, el anatsui, pamela rosenkranz, mohammed kazem, mel o’callaghan, daito manabe, sigalit landau

duration: september 2021 – august 2022

locations: royal botanic gardens victoria cranbourne (australia), royal botanic gardens victoria melbourne (australia), royal botanical gardens (canada), jerusalem botanical gardens (israel), kirstenbosch botanical garden (south africa), eden project (united kingdom), royal botanic garden edinburgh (united kingdom), tucson botanical gardens (USA), san diego botanic garden (USA), denver botanic gardens (USA), marie selby gardens (USA), elm bank garden massachusetts horticultural society (USA)