DURHAM--The American unveiling of iconic artwork featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wowed dignitaries and crowds at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta on Thursday night with Durham-based technology company, SpokeHub, bringing it to the world through augmented reality (AR).
The founders of SpokeHub partnered with artist Steve Skipper to create an immersive experience around The Genius At Work, a painting the Bahamian government commissioned Skipper to create. It depicts a refuge in the Bahamas where Dr. King retreated to develop some of his most impactful work.
Although the painting was debuted in Atlanta on April 18th, anyone in the world can be a part of this unique collaboration by using SpokeHub’s app. “We’re excited to work with Steve Skipper to bring his art to life,” said John McAdory, Head of Strategic Partnerships for SpokeHub.
“Steve’s art portrays such vivid imagery and by leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) storytelling, anyone who views his paintings will better understand the meaning behind his work as his hologram appears on your phone.”
Steve Skipper spent more than 1000 hours at his easel creating this work. “There comes an epic time in the life of an artist when God allows an open door where not only a living can be made but an unparalleled difference,“ said artist Steve Skipper.
“Going to Bimini, Bahamas and being taken into the majestic mangroves where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. retreated under great pressure to write his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech was a life-changing and transforming experience for me.”
Reproductions of The Genius At Work will permanently hang in every airport in the Bahamas in memory of Dr. King. “In his depiction of the days of Martin Luther King Jr. in Bimini, Bahamas, artist Steve Skipper captured the innocence of a man whose life, although very public, was one of humility and quiet strength,” said Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe of the Bimini Office of the Prime Minister.
“Skipper’s painting is nothing short of exceptional and a piece which like King’s life will forever be etched in our hearts.” Next month, another reproduction will be presented to Prince Charles of Britain’s Royal Family in honor of a people who were once under British rule and gained their liberty based on the teachings of MLK.
SpokeHub is a social communications technology company that builds and sustains dynamic public and private communities by blending innovative chat technology and Augmented Reality (AR) storytelling to drive engagement around topics of interest for community members.
Users begin on a Hub, designed to build and support communities around any topic of interest through chat that can be public or private. Then, there are Sub-hubs which allow passionate users to go deep on any topic. The Real-Time Sharing elevates conversations through sharing video, images, gifs, and reactions. There’s also Polling and Sentiment capability that lets users take the pulse of Hub members as they react to events, topics, and discussions.
