From 30 August to 30 November, Downtown Kuala Lumpur will be transformed into a vibrant digital playground with the Augmented Reality Festival Kuala Lumpur (AR FEST KL). Spanning 10 locations, the festival will feature over 30 AR activations, turning the city’s landmarks into immersive, interactive experiences blending art, history, and technology.
AR FEST KL highlights four key programmes: StreetARt, ARca, ARtworks, and CheritAR, which will come alive at landmarks like the National Art Gallery, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, and Victoria Fountain. The festival’s activities will also extend to vibrant spots such as REXKL, Jalan Sultan, Kwai Chai Hong, and The Starhill, inviting audiences to explore the city through new, dynamic layers.
StreetARt & ARca: Interactive Urban Exploration
StreetARt reinvents murals by artists like Cloakwork, Kenji Chai, and the late Orkibal into interactive AR canvases, adding a new dimension to these works. Meanwhile, ARca offers an adventure filled with larger-than-life digital sculptures depicting iconic Malaysian elements such as the Wau Bulan, Kancil car, and orangutans, set against the lively backdrop of The Starhill.
Both programmes involve digital artworks created by artists and technologists selected through an open call, with winners to be celebrated at the festival’s conclusion in November.
ARtworks: Fusing Fine Art and Technology
In collaboration with the National Art Gallery, ARtworks integrates augmented reality into five iconic Malaysian masterpieces, such as “Pago-Pago” by Abdul Latiff Mohidin and “Malaysian Life” by Chuah Thean Teng, offering viewers an immersive way to engage with these timeless pieces.
CheritAR: AI Historians Bring Stories to Life
At historical landmarks like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and National Textile Museum, CheritAR introduces AI-powered avatar historians that narrate the rich stories of Kuala Lumpur, transforming heritage walks into dynamic, interactive experiences. Supported by Think City and DBKL, CheritAR seamlessly merges history with cutting-edge technology.
Co-organised by EDT, Studio Behind 90, and Evertreasure, and supported by various partners, AR FEST KL is set to inspire and engage audiences by combining creativity, culture, and innovation.
For more details, visit https://arfestkl.com/ or follow @arfestkl on Instagram.