IANVS IV & IANVS I
IANVS (Janus), the Roman god of beginnings and transitions, inspired our collection, symbolizing duality, change, and the balance between past and future. This concept resonated with us, as it marked our first exhibition in Portugal and our transition from digital to physical art.
To emphasize this shift, we used various techniques and media, highlighting contrast and the clarity of seeing both past and future. The inclusion of windows in the artworks symbolizes perspective, representing the ability to view different aspects of time and reality.
The use of Augmented reality
As a digital project, we primarily explore animation, and with IANVS—the god of transitions—we aimed to bring our work into the physical realm. Augmented Reality (AR) became the perfect symbol for this transition, bridging traditional and digital art to blend past and future, tradition and innovation.
We see AR as a metaphor: the physical artwork acts as a motionless window, a gateway to the animated world. This window triggers the AR experience, merging digital content with reality. It creates a dynamic, interactive environment, while the physical artwork offers stability and grounding.
We used the Artivive App, a popular AR platform, to make these experiences accessible via smartphones and tablets.
work in progress of IANVS IV and I
Merc'Art 2018
Merc’Art, founded by Alexandra Quadros, operated at LX Factory in Lisbon from 2016 to 2020, aiming to make art more accessible and bring joy through its beauty. It offered exclusive access to works by emerging and renowned artists alike.
We first participated in Merc’Art in 2018 with two artworks and a limited edition of 25 signed prints. Additionally, we created a new animation specifically for projection on the walls of LX Factory.
Projecting at LX Factory
IANVS II
Following the quick sale of the first two artworks, we were commissioned to create a third piece for a private showing and meet-and-greet, continuing with the IANVS motif and its theme of transition.
In Roman mythology, IANVS is depicted with two faces, symbolizing beginnings and transitions. We used this as a metaphor for AR in art, blending past and future, and bridging traditional and digital forms.
We also addressed the stigma around digital art’s value by incorporating 22K gold leaf into the wooden panel. By cutting and peeling parts of the god’s faces, we revealed a golden layer beneath, adding depth and emphasizing the concept’s richness.
