Augmented Reality Technology and Art: The Analysis and Visualization of Evolving Conceptual Models

This paper provides a logical and methodological reconstruction of the evolving concept of Augmented Reality (AR) and also of the paradigmatic shift in art, caused by this emerging technology. It starts with an analysis of the notion of Augmented Reality, that leads to the construction of a conceptual model and a definition which together capture the nature of present AR applications. This is followed by a detailed conceptual analysis of major types of Augmented Reality that contribute to an understanding of current concepts. Finally, the resulting conceptual models are applied to the newly emerging field of Augmented Reality Art in order to assess the paradigmatic potential of AR as a new artistic medium. The paper puts a strong emphasis on the effective and adequate visualisation of the analysed conceptual frameworks, in order to promote a better comprehension of the logical structures underlying the notions of Augmented Reality and AR Art. This paper was intended to be presented at the opening of the First International Symposium on Augmented Reality Visualisation and Art, proposed and chaired by the author as part of the 16th International Conference on Information Visualization, IV2012.