Recently, we got to visit the Arcadia Earth experience in New York City. I’ve been putting off writing about this adventure because its really hard to explain exactly what it is. But I will give it a shot!
The basics of Arcadia Earth
Arcadia Earth is an interactive, multimedia experience that is both beautiful and educational. Through the use of art and technology, Arcadia Earth raises awareness on how to live a more environmentally conscious life. The exhibit is a compilation of art installations, each importing an essential message. Various artists used repurposed and/or recycled materials to design a series of rooms. Each space focuses on a single aspect of the damage that we inflict upon our world. Some of the topics addressed are: the effects of climate change, ocean pollution, and human consumption .
What is Augmented Reality?
Arcadia Earth describes itself as “the first immersive augmented reality (AR) journey through planet earth”. If you have no idea what this means, then there is a strong possibility that you are in my age group (or older) 😂. According to dictionary.com, AR is a noun meaning “an enhanced image…viewed on a screen…produced by overlaying computer-generated images…on a real-world environment.”
Before entering the exhibit, you must first download the Arcadia Earth app. The app is what projects the images that create the AR experience. It also allows you to take and email pictures. If you don’t have an iPhone, the front desk will lend you an iPad. Signs and a short film instruct visitors how to download and use the app.
To try to provide an accurate idea of what AR looks like, I tried to be creative with photography. The photos above show the same setting with and without the use of technology. I actually kind of like the non-enhanced scene better, but perhaps the younger generation prefers all of the bells and whistles. I took the photos below without using the app. They show the actual art and also my daughter’s iPad screen using the Arcadia Earth app.
Some art materials:
Recycled fishing nets
This gorgeous room of crocheted (?) nets is an underwater odyssey. The artist created it to raise awareness of how overfishing effects our oceans.
Plastic bags
The Rainbow Cave artist transformed everyday grocery bags into a beautiful work of art. As you walk through this exhibit, the AR depicts just how quickly single-use plastics pile up and clutter our planet.
Clothing
Here, the artist repurposed discarded garments to create animal carcasses. The purpose of this work is to discourage the consumption of meat.
carpet, toilet paper and textile fibers
This lush forest calls our attention to the use of Tencel, a sustainable textile. The installation encourages us to purchase clothing made of environmentally-friendly materials.
Finally, the “I Vow Tunnel” provides visitors with three easy ways that they can help protect our earth: eat less meat, waste less food, and care.
What’s the bottom line?
The good stuff
- For the most part, we enjoyed our experience at Arcadia Earth.
- I think it accomplished its goal of providing people with a better understanding of how to help repair our damaged earth.
- Arcadia Earth is engaging and interesting, interactive and educational, and entertaining and beautiful.
- The message that it sends is a good one: all it takes is one person and one small action to help save our planet.
the drawbacks
- Despite the timed-entry tickets, several rooms were overcrowded.
- In the Virtual Reality areas, there are not enough working goggles to go around. Therefore, the wait time for the VR features can be quite long.
- The space is hot and it smells really bad in some spots.
- The app that you download has the capacity to take and email photos. It is pretty annoying that user gets only a single picture in each email. It would have been much nicer if they had all come in one complete packet.
- Additionally, it is annoying that the emailed photos have “marker numbers” and other words superimposed on the image.
A sweet treat near Arcadia Earth
If you are hungry and ready for some sugar after your journey to save the earth, I suggest a visit to the nearby Donut Pub. They have TONS of mouthwatering choices including a s’mores croissant-donut, which even someone like me who doesn’t love donuts thinks is YUM! 😋
