Art in Public Spaces

As new districts emerge, they need identity, culture, and a sense of place. Charlemont Square, a newly developed area in Dublin, was a blank canvas; full of potential but lacking cultural presence. This was an opportunity to use digital art as a placemaking tool, turning the space into an interactive, shared experience that invited curiosity, connection, and community engagement.

In collaboration with renowned artist Maser, we created Hexahedron, a large-scale immersive AR art experience that transformed the square into a living, breathing artwork.

Inspired by Maser's distinctive bold geometric designs and vibrant colors, the AR piece extended his physical work into the digital realm, making the entire square feel alive with movement and energy. Visitors could step through a real archway, triggering a cascade of AR visuals that unfolded across the space.

The installation encouraged exploration and interaction, offering a unique way for people to engage with public art beyond the traditional gallery setting. By using augmented reality as a tool for placemaking, we turned a new, neutral urban space into a shared cultural moment, fostering community connection, wonder, and participation.

• Massive public engagement: The launch event drew hundreds of visitors, with strong word-of-mouth promotion and social media buzz. People came specifically for the AR experience, highlighting the growing demand for technology-driven cultural events.

• High dwell time and interaction: Visitors spent extended periods exploring the AR installation, proving the power of immersive art in public spaces,

• New opportunities for sustainable art: Unlike traditional physical installations, this digitally-anchored experience required no materials, reducing environmental impact while offering limitless creative possibilities.

A model for future placemaking projects, Hexahedron demonstrated how augmented reality can be a tool for cultural activation, bringing art into urban spaces in a way that is interactive, inclusive, and future-facing.

Hexahedron showcased the potential of location-based digital art in placemaking and urban regeneration. As cities evolve, public spaces risk feeling sterile or disconnected, but immersive experiences like this help shape identity and foster cultural interaction.

Beyond its artistic impact, this project highlighted how AR can offer artists new ways to express themselves, untethered from the constraints of physical materials and logistics. It also proved that AR can be a cultural attraction in its own right, drawing people not just to see art, but to experience it in new ways.

As urban spaces continue to develop, projects like Hexahedron will serve as a blueprint for integrating art, technology, and community engagement, proving that digital placemaking is about creating shared moments that transform how we experience our cities.