KAWS’ New Video Uses Augmented Reality Inside of Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

For the past two decades, the talented artist Brian Donnelly (better known as KAWS) has made a name for himself by creating eye-catching sculptures. Large and small, these cartoon-like motifs—such as Elmo with XXs for eyes—have drawn in viewers of all ages. But in one of his most recent projects, KAWS teamed with local New York City–based video artist Danilo Lauria, to create a dreamlike virtual tour through Gaudí's Casa Batlló. “It's just such a surreal, fantastical place,” says Brian Donnelly of Gaudí's design. “It's crazy to think of Casa Batlló being designed when it was being built. It's just magic.” 

When it was designed was 1904, a time when the Catalan architect was creating some of his most iconic Art Nouveau structures. Casa Batlló has skeletal quality, making  the short video of KAWS sculptures moving across the space all the more harrowing. The clip was made using an augmented reality (AR) application Brian Donnelly created with Acute Art, an international firm that collaborates with artists in creating new digital mediums. 

“The idea for this project, for using the application in Casa Batlló, was actually Danilo's idea,” says Donnelly. “He approached me saying how he was in Barcelona and had access to Casa Batlló. The rest came together beautifully.” 

In the age of COVID-19, at a time when we are all restricted by travel and continue to maintain social distancing, these ethereal videos set in far-flung spaces provide a respite from the banalities of everyday life. But Donnelly doesn't believe this expression in art will end once we are able to overcome COVID-19. “I don't think it has to do with the virus, I think it's a direction we're moving in regardless," says Donnelly. “It's a great way to explore new territories. This is a photographer I met through Instagram, who is using my AR application in a house built in 1904. I just think as new technologies develop, the creative opportunities naturally increase and multiply.” The question for KAWS now is the same question for all great artists: What's next?

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest