Play with Art Filter to learn about culture

What if you could learn about the story of the Girl with a Pearl Earring while wearing her earrings yourself? Or how about putting on a Japanese helmet to take you back to the time of Samurai traditions? Starting today, you can use “Art Filter” in the Google Arts & Culture app to become an artwork or try on iconic artifacts otherwise safely stored in museums. 

Thanks to our partners who make their amazing collections available online, we were able to create five educational and fun 3D-modelled augmented reality filters based on iconic paintings, objects and accessories from all over the world. Snap a video or image of yourself to become Van Gogh or Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, or the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring. You can also step deep into history with a traditional Samurai helmet or a remarkable Ancient Egyptian necklace.

In this novel experience, each filter has been crafted carefully so that you can explore the artifacts in high-quality detail from every angle. Before you try on the filter, you’ll also see more about its history and context. 

Our team was guided by Google’s AI Principles to determine how we built this feature for everyone, with social benefit, security, privacy and scientific rigor top of mind. Art Filter applies Machine Learning based image processing because making this kind of AR feature possible needs a sophisticated anchoring of the virtual content to the real world. Through this approach, the artifacts are able to position themselves organically and smoothly on your head or react to your facial expression. Art Filter—similar to the popular Art Selfie feature—runs completely on your device; your videos and photos are not stored unless you choose to save them or share them with friends.  

To get started, open the free Google Arts & Culture app for Android or iOS and tap the rainbow camera icon at the bottom of the homepage. We are looking forward to seeing what creations you make with Art Filter and what you will learn about these artifacts. Share your favorite photos and videos using the hashtag #ArtFilter.