Pioneer AR

An augmented reality artwork by international digital artist Luciana Haill

The artwork brings back the long lost Victorian seafaring train called 'Pioneer' (also known as the 'Daddy Long Legs’) to Brighton through the magic of augmented reality.

Famous Brighton-based Victorian inventor Magnus Volk designed the electric train, which ran through the coastal waters along Brighton seafront, from Banjo Groyne (opposite Paston Place) to Rottingdean from 1896 to 1901.

After downloading the app users can walk along the seafront and watch the geo-tagged artwork travel alongside them. For those who cannot make it to Brighton beach “Pioneer AR” can also be triggered from postcards available via the project website and from Lighthouse (the Brighton Digital Festival hosts) in Brighton.

The development of the artwork was generously supported by Arts Council England.