64 Ways Of Being

Using location-specific artworks, game design and stories, Christchurch city will come to life in an out-of-this-world way during 64 Ways of Being. What originally started in Melbourne and arrives in Christchurch as its second ever city, the urban art experience is a unique and playful journey that allows the player to discover the city with new eyes.

With the simple use of an app and headphones, the experience is similar to an audio walking tour with a mixed reality twist. Starting at Tūranga Library, the guide takes the player through the inner-city streets, parks and along the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River.

Along the way players are prompted to reimagine the world, learn about the history of different areas and monuments, and engage in fun AR activations.

Project Coordinator Kris Herbert believes that AR can allow people to experience a city in a new and special way.

“I have become really passionate about this idea that if you connect the story and the place, you have an experience that you can't get on any other media because of the richness of the place and the relevance of the story. So that's kind of what drives me and what really brought me to this project,” says Herbert.

A collaboration between Gap Filler and Dr Troy Innocent from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Future Play Lab, this project draws together indigenous knowledge and the diverse stories of Christchurch through playable public art. Innocent originally launched the augmented reality app in Melbourne as a way to encourage locals to get back into the city following multiple lockdowns. By bringing playable art to the streets, people were encouraged to engage with the city in new ways.

As a city that nurtures balance and makes time for play, 64 Ways of Being aligns with Christchurch for many reasons. Creative placemaking agency Gap Filler made a perfect partner for Innocent in bringing this project to Christchurch.

Gap Filler Urban Play Coordinator Kate Finnerty says, “64 Ways of Being comes as part of the Pae Tākaro Place of Play programme, which is the Gap Filler initiative to establish Ōtautahi as a world capital of urban play. And that's what I'm really passionate about is making sure our city remains playful for local people.”

Gap Filler are investing three years of energy and resources to make Ōtautahi a capital of urban play. The programme includes events, activations, urban interventions and installations that create a playful city for everyone.

Christchurch locals and visitors of Doc Edge can experience this unique AR experience during the festival, and soak in all of the passion and city pride that helped bring it to life.

Visit Doc Edge Festival 2024 for more information about the festival, including the full programme.