FURNA 2024/2

Exploring Global Issues Through Digital Art

Last year, FURNA focused again on digital art and technology to tackle problems like climate change and migration. The project series "Steps Untold" highlights this approach by mixing personal stories with augmented reality (AR), showing the personal side of global issues. We released a project documentary of the initial iteration of the series and explored reverse migration through a second edition.

Steps Untold 1.0: Documenting Interwoven Realities

Blending Personal and Digital Narratives

"Steps Untold 1.0," a documentary by Violeta Ivanova, Mihaela Kavdanska, and Dilmana Yordanova, delves into the intersection of AR technology and the participants' diverse realities within the DARV Steps Untold 1.0 project. Capturing the creative process and personal experiences, the film offers an in-depth look at how digital and personal narratives intertwine, providing unique insights into the participants' lives and work. This documentary highlights the project's role in showcasing the multifaceted nature of art and technology, enriching the dialogue on the impact of digital innovation in storytelling.

Steps Untold 2.0: Stories of Reverse Migration

Exploring Migration through Art

The DARV Collective's engagement at DA Fest 9 in Sofia, Bulgaria, further emphasized the impact of digital art in public spaces. Through a series of presentations and interactive city tours, the collective explored the nuanced theme of reverse migration, using AR to tell the stories of Bulgarian cultural professionals who returned to their homeland. This initiative showcased the power of digital interventions to illuminate complex social issues and foster community engagement.

Read more about Steps Untold 2.0 here.

Advancements in AR: The DARV Platform 2023

Elevating the User Experience in Art

The continuous development of the DARV AR Platform marked a significant milestone in making digital art more accessible and engaging. With enhanced UI/UX features, the platform now supports multilingual content and offers intuitive navigation through digital art collections across Europe. These improvements not only cater to digital artists' needs but also enrich the audience's experience, enabling a deeper connection with the artwork through augmented reality.

Next Up

Alongside the journey of "Steps Untold," we ventured into an exciting collaboration with A!KO and the Cultural Institute of Plovdiv, where the spotlight was on dance as a powerful medium for cultural connection. Stay tuned for an upcoming piece that dives deeper into this project, celebrating the vibrant exchange of movement and tradition.