Wearing Antarctica: our new augmented reality project

12/03/2024

Following the early success of UKAHT’s virtual reality experience, our latest project explores Antarctic clothing using interactive augmented reality filters.

Last year, as UKAHT celebrated its 30th anniversary, we launched Immersive Antarctica (IA) with a new and exciting virtual reality (VR) project that brought together technology, storytelling, archival records and data collected from our bases to make Antarctica accessible in new ways. Through this medium, people can experience our bases from the comfort of their own homes.

Earlier this year, our flagship site Port Lockroy celebrated its 80th birthday. As part of the anniversary, UKAHT has launched an augmented reality (AR) experience called Wearing Antarctica.

Introducing Wearing Antarctica

Drawing on imagery from UKAHT, British Antarctic Survey Archives and other Polar organisations, a range of clothing has been selected to showcase the historical periods of Antarctica. We have rigged or animated several ‘outfits’ which respond to user movement via their device’s camera either on a smartphone or a computer. The AR is accessible via filters on our TikTok channel and a microsite built specifically for this project.

The AR is accessible on TikTok and a new microsite (Credit: UKAHT)

Each AR outfit conveys a story from a period and/or activity in Antarctica using clothing and background imagery.  We aim to engage a new audience through the project who may not have had any interaction with Antarctic heritage before and are unlikely to have come across UKAHT and the work we do. We want audiences across the world to be able to discover our charismatic sites and the remarkable stories they hold. 

Users could don Amundsen's fur skins (Credit: Public Domain)

Recently, we have had a lot of success growing our TikTok and Instagram following and are keen to engage our new audience and introduce them to our shared Antarctic heritage, history and culture. Through this, we hope that people will develop a deeper appreciation for this extraordinary continent.

You can access the filters via our  TikTok channel (app required) and our new microsite.

Who are we working with?

Wearing Antarctica project is generously supported by The Space, a not-for-profit organisation that supports the arts, culture and heritage sector to engage audiences using digital and broadcast content and platforms.

Founded in 2013 by Arts Council England and the BBC, The Space are now an independent not-for-profit organisation. Their role includes funding the creation of new digital cultural content and providing free training, mentoring and online resources for organisations, artists and creative practitioners.

The Space showreel (Credit: The Space)

The Space supports several aspects of the project including the funding application process, outreach and marketing. Sarah Fortescue is working with us throughout, ensuring we have what we need to successfully deliver our project and facilitating expert advice from their team where needed.

UKAHT will also work with spatial computing expert Lee Probert from WealdCreative, 3D and CGI animator Carlo Santoriello from 099Creative and digital consultant and communications specialist Holly Close from Good Egg.

UKAHT is working with several partners

UKAHT’s XR producer, Lesley Johnston, is leading the project with support from head of development, Camilla Johns, and communications officer, Peter Watson. Find out more about the UKAHT team here.

Contact: lesley.johnston@ukaht.org