NONUMENT 01::McKeldin Fountain 1.0.9

The public art initiative, “NONUMENT 01::McKeldin Fountain,” marks a significant development as Baltimore's inaugural public monument realized in augmented reality (AR). This innovative project invites participants to engage with a precisely rendered 3D model of McKeldin Fountain, a site steeped in controversy, by simply holding a tablet or smartphone like a protest sign. Users can trigger the visualization of the once-imposing brutalist structure, which was home to 18 waterfalls before its demolition in January 2017.

While the fountain can be accessed globally, visitors at McKeldin Square in Baltimore enjoy an enhanced experience through an audio tour narrated by the artist. The interactive journey allows users to explore animated waterways and notable features, such as the iconic double waterfall. Interspersed throughout the experience are 'memory artifacts' that facilitate a gamified exploration of the site’s rich history of activism, including recollections from pivotal events like Occupy Baltimore and the protests following Freddie Gray’s death.

To experience NONUMENT 01, users are encouraged to follow these steps:

• Download and open the NONUMENT 01 app.
• Find an unobstructed half-acre site for optimal viewing.
• Wear headphones for an immersive experience.
• Tap on a flat protest sign on the ground to bring back the fountain at any time.
• Hold your device like a protest sign and navigate around the recreated fountain.
• Discover hidden “memory objects” to enhance your experience.
• If you lose sight of the fountain, restore it by tapping on a protest sign or through the app menu.

NONUMENT 01 represents a pioneering effort in AR by delivering an expansive 3D simulation that utilizes advanced rendering techniques typically reserved for virtual reality and GPS tools. This project has garnered support from various organizations, including the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund in Film + Media at Johns Hopkins University, alongside contributions from the Andy Warhol Foundation, The Gritt Fund from the Contemporary Museum, and additional grants from several other institutions.

The creative team behind this project includes Lisa Moren as Director and Producer, Jaimes Mayhew in Co-Production, and founding members Martin Bricelj Baraga and Neja Tomšič. The programming and development were facilitated by Balti-Virtual. Music elements feature compositions by Erik Spangler and JMoney fur, with engineering by Timothy Nohe, while 3D modeling was executed by Ben Shaffer and Ryan Zuber, among others.