at The Wassaic Project 2012
This image of an old Locomotive on the existing train tracks that bisect the Hamlet of Wassaic recalls the history of the milk trains that ran along this train line bringing dairy products from upstate to New York City in the 19th and early part of the 20th century.
Using street signage and Augmented Reality Technology, we will explore the history and impact of the NY Central Railroad Company on the Hamlet of Wassiac, NY.
We would installed several metal street signs around the area near and within the Wassaic Project that would contain information about the old New York Central Railroad Company. The signs were accompanied by an Augmented Reality Model that could be viewed via Smartphone of a scale locomotive sitting on the train 
tracks that divide the town. This virtual sculpture of an old locomotive will provide a historically relevant juxtaposition with the modern surroundings.
Background History:
Wassaic’s main employers in the 19th century were Gridley Iron Works and the Harlem division of the New York Central Railroad. The New York Central Railroad (reporting mark NYC), known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States. Headquartered in New York, the railroad served most of the Northeast, including the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Massachusetts, plus Ontario and Quebec.
AR Technology:
Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. By contrast, virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one. We will be using a mobile browser called Layar. The browser allows users to find various items based upon augmented reality technology.
Statement
about the Artists:
Lise Prown And Curt Belshe create work that explores the intersection of public art, local history, and information graphics. They have done large scale public out projects using signage and Augmented Reality Technology. Many of these works have been done in and around the NY Metro area.
www.liseprown.com and www.curtbelshe.com
