The National Gallery teams up with My Little Pony to create augmented reality experience

Virgin Radio

22 Sep 2021, 13:59

The digital experience transforms iconic horses of art history into the cutesy cast of My Little Pony.

This Friday, 23rd September, the new My Little Pony film, My Little Pony: Next Generation, comes to Netflix. As part of the film’s promotional campaign the National Gallery has created an equestrian augmented reality experience for visitors to the museum.

The AR experience transforms ten of the gallery’s most iconic horse paintings into the New Generation ponies, beautifully illustrated by renowned children’s artist Rachael Saunders who has previously designed covers for books by Roald Dahl and Rudyard Kipling.

Saunders told the PA news agency: “It was a dream come true. It’s honestly the most exciting project I’ve been involved in in my career.”

“And I always used to come here as a student to the National Gallery and wonder what it would be like to have my work displayed here and it’s just amazing to have it here in augmented reality.”

Guests can access the AR paintings by scanning one of the QR codes placed around the gallery or searching ‘My Little Pony National Gallery’ in the App store. Alongside the visual art viewers can find commentary and other short clips from the stars of the film, joined by children’s television host and horse lover Jodie Kidd. 

Kidd also spoke to PA news, saying “I’m so excited to be part of this magical initiative at the National Gallery.”

“There are so many timeless masterpieces on show at the gallery and this wonderful app does a fantastic job of helping make them even more accessible and entertaining.”

The film features stars Vanessa Hudgens and James Marsden, alongside YouTube sensation Liza Koshy. The story follows Hudgens’ character Sunny Starscout on a mission to reunite the worlds of the Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi.

The app is live until November 1st, so fans have a whole month to enjoy the virtual reality experience. Entry to the National Gallery is free, but guests are required to book in advance online.