Journey to Arcadia Earth

Briana Gonzalez

If you find yourself on the Lower East Side, walking distance from Washington Square Park is Arcadia Earth- the very first augmented reality journey through Planet Earth. Augmented reality, usually used for video games, creates an interactive experience enhanced through virtual reality and allows the viewer to use all of their senses to make it come to life. Arcadia Earth is "a large scale multi-sensorial journey through underwater worlds, fantasy lands, and inspirational art installations."

There are 15 exhibits in this interactive museum all which work to highlight our ecological footprint and the environmental reality of our planet. Each exhibit teaches you how to learn small lifestyle changes in order to create an ever-lasting impact on our planet and it's future.

The 15 exhibits include:

- “THE RAINBOW CAVE'' by Basia Goszcynska where you walk through a cave made out of approximately 44,000 salvaged plastic bags (the amount used in New York State every single minute) and recycled fishing nets Goszcynska pulled out of dumpsters.

- “GALAXI” by Chika an LED light installation reflective of the ocean, where you walk through a virtual reality underwater space

- “VOW TUNNEL AND FIBER FOREST” by Katharina Hoerath and Katie Donahue, K-Works Studio; two designers trained as architects who bring attention to unnoticed objects we discard in abundance, daily.

If you plan on visiting Arcadia, grab tickets ahead of time here.

Things to Know Before You Enter:

To avoid delays upon download ahead of time: Arcadia Earth AR from the App Store. You will need the app to fully experience the exhibit.

The app will only work on iPhone 7 or later. If you have an Android device or a different phone, Arcadia will lend you an iPad at the door at no extra charge.