The wall paintings of Polina Raiko are a unique phenomenon of folk art that emerged on the walls of her own home. The fantastic creatures born from her imagination have become part of Ukraine’s visual culture. IMERSUM set out to breathe new life into them.
In partnership with eMuseum and the Totem Center for Cultural Development, we implemented an AR project that became part of the book «Polina Raiko. The Invisible». Fragments of her murals were reinterpreted and transformed into 3D models of fantastical animals – released into the surrounding world in augmented reality format.
Project Goal
The goal of the project was to preserve the murals and create new ways of engaging with art, reaching a wide audience. To achieve this, we held an open contest: anyone could find the virtual creatures in their environment using a smartphone, take photos with them, and share the images on social media. The creators of the most creative photos received a copy of the book «Polina Raiko. The Invisible» as a gift. Dozens of people from across Ukraine joined the initiative – from children to artists, educators, and cultural activists.
Cultural Value
The project made Polina Raiko’s art accessible beyond the walls of her home, preserved it in digital format and opened it up to a new audience. Thanks to augmented reality, the murals gained a second life – not in a museum, but in an active environment where people can interact with them. It’s a practical tool for promoting folk art among young people, educational initiatives and cultural events.
