Magic Mirror Proposal

Becoming the Spirit: A Balinese Magic Mirror

Proposal by Mirabelle Jones 3/18/21

This magic mirror was developed as part of an interactive make up counter for Meow Wolf Las Vegas’s Omega Mart (fake grocery store). Visitors trigger one of nine make up “looks” by touching different compacts. This proposal is for a similar magic mirror technique where instead of make up looks, masks would appear. In this video, the visitors have to use a prop to trigger the animations due to COVID-19 face masks requirements. This would not be required in the proposed project. More than one person can use the mirror at the same time.

The following is a proposal for an interactive installation using mixed reality and facial recognition inspired by Balinese Masks. Balinese masks are colorful, dramatic and artistic objects symbolizing spirits from the ancestral world.

Balinese Masks

In the installation, visitors are greeted with a magic mirror in traditional Balinese framing. The idea of the magic mirror is an archetype of storytelling—a space where visions of the past and future connect and are embodied in the present. When visitors look into the magic mirror, their face will be replaced with a balinese mask-style mixed reality overlay that contours to their face.

Magic Mirror Omega Mart Photo Gallery

Equipment and Budget

Equipment: Computer to spec w/ GPU, microcontroller, lighting controller, LED strip, LCD screen, camera, cables and wiring, armature or wall for mounting mirror and installation structure. Part list available upon request.

Budget: $6,000 USD includes all equipment ($4000) and artist’s fee ($2000)

Completion Time: 1 Week, 2 Weeks if armature required