In April 2023, the Finnish Institute in Estonia organised a 3D workshop in Tartu entitled “Street art + augmented reality = your reality?!” for young people aged up to 19. The 3D modelling began in Tartu with a work of street art titled “Friendship”, which was painted by young people from Tartu and Tampere on the supporting structures of Sõpruse Bridge (located at Turu 22, Tartu). The 500 square metres of graffiti were designed and painted by professional graffiti artists from Estonia and Finland. Young local volunteers were also involved, attending painting workshops and documenting the process. The street artwork “Friendship” was opened on the 10th of September 2022, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the friendship between the cities of Tartu and Tampere and the 25th anniversary of Tampere Maja, a cultural centre located in Tartu.
See the video of making the “Friendship” mural:
Putting together the physical and the virtual bridge
Right from the beginning, the plan was to add some virtual content to the physical bridge. The first step was to share the music and poetry of young locals via a DIGGILOO QR code sticker on the information board next to the bridge. The content was produced by the Finnish Institute in Estonia in cooperation with young musician and producer Liisa Tulvik, a co-owner of Gruuviwabrik, a recording studio that helps young musicians get their music published.
This virtual bridge SoundCloud playlist introduces the young talents and their music and poetry. The playlist can also be supplemented in the future with new creative works by young artists. The physical information board is also a place where everyone is welcome to share via QR code their own positive interpretation of the theme of “Friendship” through the medium of music, art or poetry.
Adding augmented reality
The 3D modelling and augmented reality workshop was implemented in cooperation with technology company Mobi Lab and Tartu Art School. The first session was held in the Mobi Lab Tartu office, where director Allan Valm introduced us to augmented reality and Reality Maker, an application they have developed to bring augmented reality animations into the physical world.
The next four workshop meetings were supervised by a young 3D artist Gris-Markus Reinesberg, who had recently graduated from the Tartu Art School. Inspired by the graffiti art of the bridge, the participants started creating their own digital content in the 3D studio of Tartu Art School.
“We created two different works – a flower and a seated child – based on the graffiti on the two pillars supporting the bridge. While creating the pieces, I taught the students the basics of using Blender as a designing tool and gave them tips on how to make the work easier”, says Reinesberg. “We created the 3D works together and set them up to Reality Maker´s sandbox provided by Mobi Lab”.
What did 17-year-old Art – our most active participant – think about the workshop?
“Thanks for the great opportunity to take part in such a great course. It was the best!
As I had no previous experience in the 3D reality, everything was new and interesting for me. I learned about 3D modelling and augmented reality. Every second was exciting, and I was surprised that 3D modelling is so much fun.”
Thanks to the workshop, Art says, he discovered a totally new world to be captivated by, and who knows, maybe a path to a profession of his dreams.
“I think everything was just great and the course was very well organised. The instructor was also very nice, inspiring and supportive. Taking part in the workshop made me think I could tie my life to this field and study 3D at the Tartu Art School”, Art enthuses.
Make the bridge come alive by yourself!
But back to the bridge. What is different now? Nothing, if you have a look at the pillars with the graffiti. But if you are ready to experience another reality, follow these instructions:
- Download the Reality Maker application to your mobile device from the App Store, Google Play or on the website: http://realitymaker.eu
- Login: viewer2@lab.mobi, password: demo
- Explore!
And instructions for spreading friendship over the world to the ones who are far from us but one in heart!
This editor mode allows users to place and experience 3D models in their desired space:
1. Download the Reality Maker application to your mobile device from the App Store, Google Play or on the website: http://realitymaker.eu
2. Login: editor2@lab.mobi, password: demo
3. Click on the “Tap here to add” button and select the DIGGILOO model from the list.
4. Place the model in your desired place.
5. Click on the anchor button and follow the instructions.
6. Once successfully anchored the model is now ready to be explored by you and others!
For more information about the workshop in Estonian
See also the video of using Reality Maker: Making a Bridge Come Alive with Augmented Reality. Workshop in Tartu, April 2023.
Author Heidi Iivari is DIGGILOO project manager at the Finnish Institute in Estonia.
