Converging VR, AR and 3D printing:
Art as a Vehicle for Driving Technology in Africa

With the rapid democratization of technology across Africa, the future of innovation, and storytelling lies in the hands of content creators and rising African artists. Focusing on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 3D printing and software development, Eden Labs develops immersive experiences with artists to push the limits of emerging technologies. This research and development lab in Johannesburg, South Africa, uses a variety of mixed reality technologies and other digital media to tell captivating and interactive stories.

VCUarts Qatar will be hosting Eden Labs’ creative technologist Rick Treweek, and art director Gareth Steele, who will be giving a lecture and a series of workshops on emerging technologies.
With over 15 years of experience in digital media, Rick Treweek’s practice centers around creating worlds within art, games, and new formats of digital media. Gareth Steele designs and conceptualizes for virtual and augmented reality, and specializes in 360 degree photography and videography.

Workshops
Participants at the workshop for the general public on Monday, February 3, at 6pm at the Atrium, will learn about basic content creation and multimedia skills for VR creation tools, 360 degree photography and videography, and 3D scanning and photogrammetry. They will also be given an overview of the possibilities of 3D printing and mixed reality technology.

The participants at the workshops on Wednesday will learn how to translate existing media into augmented reality or virtual reality content with Rick Treweek. Film-makers and performers who are interested in 360 degree cinematography and videography techniques will be given advice by Gareth Steele on their projects.