Portland’s First Augmented-Reality Mural celebrates LGBTQ+ History
Portland’s first mural enhanced with augmented reality celebrates the rich LGBTQ+ History of the Old Town neighborhood. The one of a kind experience brings the 2D painting to life with a flourish of animations and an original song performed by local groups. The mural is a collaboration between Maybelle Center for Community and Activate Arts, a local arts advocacy non-profit.
Visitors can download the Artivive app on their smartphone to activate the augmented reality portion of the work of art. Using the in-app camera, visitors can hover their phone over the mural and watch as the animations take over the screen. Through the speakers of the phone, "It's Rainin' Love," an original song written for this display, plays alongside the animation. The song was recorded by Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, and Maybelle Community Singers.
The mural was planned to bring people in our community together and celebrate those around us. "Being someone with overlapping identities, sometimes it's hard to find community” Ridan Arellano, Designer and Illustrator of the mural, said, “I want people to feel welcome and included when they see the mural.”
In June 2022, artists, members, and volunteers alike gathered at the Badlands building (formerly Embers gay bar and club) to paint the mural. The completed mural can be found at 110 NW Broadway, Portland, OR, 97209.
