1 The Miroir [mirror] project is an interactive installation for augmented reality, created in 2011 by Sophie Daste, Karleen Groupierre and Adrien Mazaud. This interactive space is a Victorian style carpeted living room. Through the heap of odd objects it contains, the space is reminiscent of an old cabinet of curiosity. A chair takes the center of the setting, inviting the spectator to sit in front of the mirror. When sitting down, the spectator sees a ghostly animal head superimpose onto their own face reflection. The anthropomorphic double coming from a literally augmented reality, follows each and every of their movements and expressions.

Transitional object

2The illusion begins as soon as the spectator enters the room. Thought like a jewel case, the room protects this surreal environment from the reality of the outer world.

3This whole set-up relies on the fantasy of seeing, through the mirror, a hidden truth. The mirror is only semi-tinted, and the wall on which it is hung is not a wall, but a false background, concealing the machinery required for the creation of this illusion.

4Five speakers are placed in the room. Their combined action gives the spectator the impression that sounds are moving around them. This sonic atmosphere is part of the spectator’s immersion into the oneiric world of the Miroir.

Illusive technique of augmented reality

7The choice of the animal head depends on the morphological data captured by the camera.

9Thus, if the spectator opens or closes their mouth, smiles or winces, the creature will do the same in its own way.

Facing the illusion

10Since 2011, The Miroir set-up appeared in several exhibitions allowing a study of the public’s reactions. The spectators’ reactions are varied, some of them laugh, others are startled or scared. Some see an animal mimicking them, others see their totem. During the Miroir project exhibit in Hong-Kong at the Siggraph Asia festival, several student groups ranging from 12 to 16 years old tested the set-up. We noticed a cultural phenomenon that the authors did not expect: young hongkonger ladies, startled by the apparition of the animal face onto their own face were driven, as a reflex, to cover their nose and mouth with both hands. However, the illusion relies on the detection, for facial tracking, of the basic elements of a face, an oval, eyes and a mouth. By hiding their faces the girls made the animal face disappear in the same time. When a girl let her hands down, the creature, just as its shy audience, reappeared startling the girl anew. The young girls had to tame an illusion that appeared as fearful as they were, reality and the illusion appeared mutually impressed by the presence of one another.

http://vimeo.com/​67644558

Miroir project exhibit

112015
Ars Electronica – Linz (September 3^rd-7^th).

122014
Festival MISS (Maison de l’image et du signe de Sevran) – Sevran (November 4^th-8^th).

132013
Festival SIANA – Evry-Courcouronnes (April 16^th-28^th).

142011
Symposium SIGGRAPH Asia – Hong-Kong (December 12^th-16^th).
Savante Banlieue – Université Paris 13, Villetaneuse (October 13^th-14^th).
Festival Dimension 3 – Plaine Saint-Denis (May 24^th-26^th).
Festival Laval Virtual – Laval, France (April 6^th-10^th).