A Toronto Street Is Coming Alive With A Magical Augmented Reality Installation (VIDEOS)

Watch these masterpieces come to life in front of your eyes!
Staff Writer

The Junction is trying something new to get people shopping local this holiday season.

Ten shops on Dundas W. have volunteered their storefronts to be transformed into "Window Wonderland," Toronto's first Augmented Reality exhibition, and the results are gorgeous.

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Just download the Augle app and point it at the windows to see the winter wonderland scenes — all painted by local artists — spring to life.

This is Toronto's first-ever AR art exhibition, say the organizers.

“We needed to think outside the box and find new ways to support the Junction community, our local artists and businesses, during the pandemic," said Carol Jolly, Executive Director of The Junction Business Improvement Area, in a news release. 

“Window Wonderland is bringing our eclectic neighbourhood to life and giving families a great reason to get outside this winter."

Haveli Home's window features a cozy winter scene.

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Kanto's windows have a catchy holiday tune to go along with their AR installation.

While a man ice fishes underneath the Northern Lights outside Studio Cycle.

[rebelmouse-image 26001248 photo_credit="Lance McMillan | Narcity" expand=1 original_size="4032x3024"]

Onlookers gather to check out the moving mural.

[rebelmouse-image 26001249 photo_credit="Lance McMillan | Narcity" expand=1 original_size="4032x3024"]

And our fisherman makes a big catch!

An onlooker tries out the Augle app on Pandemonium's window.

[rebelmouse-image 26001250 photo_credit="Lance McMillan | Narcity" expand=1 original_size="4032x3024"]

The winter sledding outside Latitude44 was painted and animated by Olga Nabatova.*

[rebelmouse-image 26001251 photo_credit="Lance McMillan | Narcity" expand=1 original_size="4032x3024"]

And the spookiest exhibit is outside MEDS Pharmacy.

If you want to check out this augmented reality winter wonderland for yourself, you can experience it on Dundas St. W until January 31.

*This article has been updated.

  • Cormac O'Brien was an Associate Editor at Narcity Canada, covering all things exciting and trending about Canada. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism from the University of Victoria, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper and was awarded the BCYNA Community News Scholarship for his writing. He was also the producer and co-host of Now On Narcity, Narcity's flagship podcast.

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