The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Recreating a city’s treasure
There was much uproar when Dundee’s Royal Arch was demolished in the 1960s. Dr Kieran Baxter has come up with a savvy idea to bring back the beloved structure
It’s a question that has been posed by many Dundonians over the years – can we rebuild the Royal Arch? Finally, Dr Kieran Baxter has found a way to do just that – via 3D augmented reality.
He is an aerial photographer and digital media practitioner at the 3DVisLab, DJCAD.
Dr Baxter says: “My work explores the role of artistic enquiry, enabled by technology, in better communicating the stories of our heritage and environment that are written into the landscape.”
He has studied animation at Dundee University and completed a PhD in how to use new technology to help people understand archaeological sites or buildings.
“I create 3D pictures of things that are no longer there so people can better know the stories behind them. I work mainly from photographs,” he says.
“For the Royal Arch project we have used more than 30 historical images and created a 3D visualisation, an image that feels like you can touch it.
“I had heard of the Royal Arch and how important it was to Dundee – I’m not from the city originally, but I came here to study and it was often discussed in archaeological circles,” he continues.
The original structure, which had been erected to commemorate a visit of Queen Victoria to Dundee, was torn down in the 1964 as part of a land reclamation effort to build the Tay Road Bridge.
Last year a cardboard reconstruction of the Arch was built in Slessor Gardens with the help of creatives and members of the public from across the city.
“It was fascinating to see the public reaction to that and how it changed the skyline of Dundee for those few hours,” says Dr Baxter.
“The original arch was torn down and people still talk about it being one of the worst decisions city planners ever made.”
“I became interested in bringing back the form of the arch using augmented reality so people can picture what the arch was like, its presence and its gravitas,” he continues.
The project’s aim is to enable people to stand in the region of where the arch once was and, using 3D augmented technology, be able to view the structure on their mobile phone.
Users of the technology will be able to explore the structure by turning it, zooming in and examining its nooks and crannies.
“There will be a few versions to explore too,” Dr Baxter adds. “The original wooden structure was built in 1844, and was destroyed to make way for the Arch.
“Dr Alice Watterson is an archaeologist and digital artist specialising in illustration, digital survey and visualisation. She’s used her specialist skills to recreate this wooden arch, so you’ll be able to travel back in time and see that wooden structure,” he says.
There will also be a few versions of the Royal Arch to explore, as well as the cardboard arch, created by MSc student Verda Munir.
“The idea is to show that the arch isn’t just a piece of static architecture, but to show how it has changed over time,” says Dr Baxter.
“We don’t have the power or the materials to do a full reconstruction of the Royal Arch itself,” he continues.
“But we hope that this version will go some way to helping people feel they can reconnect with this important piece of the history of Dundee.”
A panel discussion about the project and its development will be taking place on September 23, during which both Dr Baxter and Dr Watterson will provide more information. Other panellists are still to be announced.
The panel is a collaboration with AND Festival, and the project is supported by Creative Scotland.
After the event, the Royal Arch will be brought back to the city using augmented reality technology for NEoN Digital Arts Festival in November 2017.
For more information go to www. northeastofnorth.com