Explore lively augmented reality art exhibit at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A new exhibition at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden turns the property into an augmented reality experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the work of artist Kyle M. Epps as they explore the gardens.

The exhibition, “Blooms of Light,” is Epps’ final exhibition during his time as artist-in-residence at the gardens . It is an experience visitors can take part in by using their smartphone to view the augmented reality art throughout the gardens — with some of the art being more static and others being fully animated, adding even more life to the space.

8News visited the gardens and got a chance to speak with Epps about his work.

Epps said he chose the medium of augmented reality for this exhibition because it allowed him substantial creative freedom while being less invasive to the gardens.

“[AR] was a growing field of technology — and something that I felt was a great way to work with the garden,” Epps said.

Epps said his artistic choices were highly influenced not only by the gardens themselves — which he said he’s spent a considerable amount of time in — but by visitors and their experiences.

He added that he was thinking about young people and the future first when designing these pieces, which Epps said was yet another reason to select augmented reality as his medium.

He welcomes parents to visit with their children and experience the exhibition together as a family outing, hoping to help the next generation become more comfortable exploring the outdoors.

“I want them to feel fun first — and from there, there’ll be curiosity,” Epps said. “You’ll want to touch the phone, you’ll want to see the experience, you’ll want to interact — that is the goal. Just getting comfortable in nature is the first step.”

Another Epps exhibition available at the gardens is his geocache experience, “The Secret Garden Legacy Adventure.” Those willing to tackle this adventure will need to find waypoints throughout the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and solve riddles.

Both novice and experienced geocache enthusiasts are welcome to try this exhibition out. According to leadership, there will be instructors and guardians available who can help you along the way. You can also take on this challenge as a group.

If you are interested in meeting Epps, the gardens is hosting a meet and greet with him from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.

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