Augmented Reality (AR) Stop-Motion characters with Aireys Inlet Primary School

On 18th of August 2021 as part of Regional Art Victoria's Creative Workers in Schools Program at Aireys Inlet Primary school, animator Scarlet Sykes Hesterman and photographer Rebecca Hosking took Glen Hurst’s grade 2-3 class outside the classroom to investigate the Mangowak Reserve for their character design project. Along with special help and guidance from ANGAIR members, Ellinor Campbell, Sally White, Jill Pollock and Grace De Kay,  an exchange of knowledge and passion for plants was shared. Home to endemic and native species, the Mangowak Reserve situated next to the school offered students an immersive and close-up look at plants to research and develop a botanic inspired ‘Environmental Warrior’.  

The ANGAIR members were able to point out particular plant features and adaptations and assist with identifying plants for the students to document in their visual diaries. The class used magnifying glasses to observe in detail characteristics, adaptations, forms and colours of plants such as Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica), Running Postman (Kennedia postrata) and Twinning Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii) which they then incorporated into the character design. Some students even incorporated the common names into their character’s title such as Chloe’s character, 'Daisy Everlasting vs Pollution and Global Warming'. 

Despite the frequent disruption of lockdowns, Glen’s class continued to develop their warriors along with their dramatic backstories featuring acts of bravery and combating issues such as climate change, deforestation, pollution, mining, overfishing and oil drilling. The characters were then drawn on paper, cut out and assembled into puppets with split-pin joints and were then stop motion animated to bring them to life. Each character performs a short looping motion which has been digitally uploaded to Augmented Reality (AR) platform and can be viewed using a smartphone and scanning QR (Quick Response) codes.  

While the warrior characters offer fantastical and wildly imaginative solutions to tackling these massive and sometimes overwhelming environmental issues, they also propose hopeful and creative solutions for us. We wanted the children to be included in the dialogue around these issues and be part of the solution and it is evident that the Aireys Inlets students are very passionate and interested in conserving this area. Thank you to ANGAIR for assisting us with this project, your knowledge and wisdom is so inspiring and impressive! 

The characters will be publicly available to view in early November near the Mangowak reserve and nearby areas using Augmented Reality app. Keep an eye out for the QR codes! 

Scarlet is available for Artist in School Residencies and collaborative projects.

AR Character 'SNAPPY' by Charlie.

Environmental Warriors Project documentation