"Beyond Curiosity" is a participatory virtual tour through Linz, created by Linz Tourism and the Ars Electronica Futurelab. Using Gaussian Splatting 3D scanning technology, it showcases the city’s key sights in an unconventional journey, inviting both visitors and residents to capture and share their own perspectives.
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Linz Tourism approached the Ars Electronica Futurelab to develop an interactive virtual tour for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, showcasing Linz as a modern, cutting-edge UNESCO City of Media Arts. The project aligns with their new branding campaign, “Take a Risk, Visit Linz,” aiming to spark curiosity among both international and national audiences.
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The outcome of the collaboration resulted in a 2.5-minute highlight video featuring the city’s landmarks, Linz Tourisms website serving as interactive platform with a map displaying individual Gaussian Splatting scans of these landmarks for exploration, and a tutorial video where we as artists explain how citizens can scan the hidden gems of their own city.
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Our strategy was to rethink traditional city video tours that showcase polished, cinematic aerial views, instead focusing on the creative production process. Rather than merely replicating reality and making it “virtual” with Gaussian Splatting technology that typically usually used for high-fidelity 3D reconstructions, we embraced an artistic approach. By briefly revealing familiar sights before they dissolve into particles and seamlessly transition to the next location, we deconstruct reality, encouraging viewers to use their imagination and experience the full scope of Linz by visiting the city themselves.