Both immersive and engaging, AURORA is an expansive public art event that transforms downtown Dallas into an open-air, urban playground of new media art. Installations of light, video, and sound are presented on an unprecedented scale. The sunset signals the transformation of the city into one of the nation’s largest outdoor exhibitions, which has attracted over 130,000 attendees since 2010.

In 2017, Groove Jones and the Dallas Morning News teamed up to bring the VR experience of Arcade Artist to the event. The event featured ten massive art installations of light, video, and sound from around the world. It occurred on the AT&T Performing Arts Center campus on October 21 and 22, 2016, from 8 p.m. until midnight.

The VR experience – Arcade Artist

Because the event celebrates new media and art, the game Arcade Artist perfectly fits the event. In the experience, participants entered a VR playground with tools to create and play within an Alice and Wonderland environment.

Dallas icons, like the Pegasus, Reunion Tower, the giant Ferris wheel in Fair Park, and the Wandering Man robot statue from Deep Ellum, were scattered worldwide. Four people were able to experience them at the same time.

The event has expanded over the years through the initiative and support of the Dallas arts community. In 2018, Aurora will take place in Downtown Dallas, centered on the iconic I.M. Pei-designed Dallas City Hall.

Award-Winning Production

VDA: Viveport Developer Award

Finalist: Viveport Developer Awards Best of Apps
Category: Create