Introducing the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience: A Groundbreaking AR Journey through History

Partnering tourism commissions in Shelby, Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Nelson, and Hardin Counties of Kentucky are proud to announce The Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience. It is a transformative first-of-its-kind immersive experience that celebrates the influential Black figures who have shaped the history of the state and beyond. Across the vibrant counties of Kentucky, a new journey beckons history enthusiasts and the culturally curious alike, providing an inspiring and educational Augmented Reality (AR) experience – created by innovation studio Tactic in partnership with ShelbyKY Tourism – that highlights the rich tapestry of stories woven throughout the state.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience, an initiative aimed at honoring and preserving the extraordinary contributions and stories of our local heroes,” says Janette Marson, President and CEO ShelbyKY Tourism. “Through the integration of Augmented Reality technology, we proudly offer visitors the opportunity to travel back in time and encounter the personal histories of these remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on our cultural heritage. The Experience is a trailblazer in exploring innovative ways to celebrate the past and inspire future generations.”

For Tactic, creating the AR experience meant not only building a customized AR application but faithfully embodying each historical figure – recording detailed actor performances via innovative “volume capture” technology and seamlessly integrating them into the app. Building on ShelbyKY Tourism’s creative direction and historical guidance from local officials, Tactic teamed with production partners at Metastage and Director Sean Frank to digitize the reenactments in three dimensions, allowing the historical figures to speak to app users. In all,19 experiences are featured across multiple locations in the state, each triggering from QR code-enabled signage designed by Tactic.

“Telling stories centered on the Black experience and these historical figures from the past was an incredible honor,” adds Sean Frank. “Throughout the process, in working to craft each actor’s performance, I learned so much about these unsung heroes and their accomplishments. I felt a tremendous responsibility to tell these stories effectively and with emotional truth.”

With stops across the Louisville region, visitors will go on a captivating journey to meet Muhammad Ali, Oliver Lewis, and many more via an immersive experience like no other.

“This is a truly exciting and culturally meaningful use of AR, allowing users to see history ‘come to life’ in a way that hasn’t been done at this scale,” says Tactic President Peter Oberdorfer. “The potential of this medium to tell stories is boundless. But, in particular, this mix of augmented and mixed reality with live action holographic video is a compelling example of the power of creative technology to invite new audiences to explore this important history.”

For more information, visit KyBlackTrailblazers.com.

Source: Tactic

  AR, Kentucky, Marketing, ShelbyKY Tourism, Tactic, The Kentucky Black Trailblazers Experience