RoadTripMemories 17+

Road Trip Memories AR is an augmented reality storytelling app designed to share Jean-René Leblanc's memories of road trips through the use of vintage gas stations.

Embark on a captivating journey with Road Trip Memories AR, a groundbreaking mobile app that blends art, technology, and personal narratives to explore abandoned gas stations in Alberta, Canada. This 3-year research-creation study leverages Speculative Design, Augmented Reality (AR), and 3D photogrammetry imaging to bring these forgotten landmarks to life on your mobile device.

Picture yourself physically entering a 3D gasoline station, surrounded by the echoes of road trips and the artist's memories. These stations, scattered between urban and rural landscapes, serve as local time capsules, preserving the shared experiences of communities. Despite being man-made structures, gas stations hold a unique significance as modern landmarks that chronicle the evolution of road trips—from the excitement of discovery to the practicality of necessity.

Gasoline Station AR doesn't just recreate history; it transforms abandoned gas stations into digital storytelling hubs, fueled by past memories, present experiences, and future imaginings. It's not about reliving the past but rediscovering these sites as rich points of departure for cultural exploration.

Throughout the project, Road Trip Memories AR achieved various goals, such as documenting the evolving Petroculture, shedding light on the decline of once-thriving sites, and giving these overlooked places renewed cultural significance. Beyond nostalgia, the app reimagines a social landscape in an emerging post-carbon culture, pushing the boundaries of how mobile applications and AR can creatively weave together digital storytelling.

Download Road Trip Memories AR now to embark on a journey that transcends time and space, connecting you with the essence of road trips, memories, and the evolving landscapes of our communities. Immerse yourself in the augmented reality of abandoned gas stations and witness the magic of storytelling through the lens of past, present, and future.