A Conceptual Approach to Perak Visual Art Mapping through Augmented Reality

Abstract

The way cultural heritage is recorded, understood, and experienced has changed dramatically due to the quick development of digital technology. Nonetheless, the State of Perak's mapping and documentation of its visual art legacy are still disjointed, with little use of digital technologies that could improve public participation and long-term preservation. To create an interactive digital heritage ecosystem that promotes cultural preservation, education, tourism, and the creative economy, this study suggests transforming Perak State's visual art mapping through the incorporation of Augmented Reality (AR) technology. This paper proposes a conceptual Input-Process-Output-Impact framework for integrating Augmented Reality with the mapping of Perak's visual art heritage and illustrates the framework through a single case demonstration: an Augmented Reality treatment of a traditional hornbill linocut print. Users can access interactive digital content via smartphones and mobile devices, such as historical narratives, artist profiles, 3D visualisations, audio, video, and educational information, by integrating AR technology with geographic mapping of visual art venues.  Building on this demonstration, future work will extend the framework to a wider sample of Perak's murals, crafts, and sculptures, toward an interactive digital heritage ecosystem and digital library of the state's visual art. This research advances smart heritage initiatives, supports sustainable cultural tourism, and encourages the digital transformation of Malaysia's visual arts industry by fusing digital innovation with cultural heritage management. The results should contribute to the larger conversation on digital heritage preservation in the context of Industry 5.0 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and offer a scalable framework that other Malaysian governments can adopt.