People have been finding a number of creative uses for QR codes. Businesses benefit from the creative implementation, but non-profit organizations and city groups seem to be leading the innovative curve of the codes. The city of Conway, Arkansas, has recently opened an art gallery that exhibits a collection of QR codes.
The Conway City Hall Gallery is the home of this gallery, the idea of City Planner Bryan Patrick. Conway had been using QR codes since 2005 as a way of spreading information to those with smart phones. While the town has seen mild success in using the codes, Patrick has been looking for ways to expand their use.
The codes are linked to paintings, both famous and not, done by students and other artists. Some codes are linked to text, featuring prose from local writers and poetry. Currently, the exhibit features 40 QR codes linked to art. Patrick was able to generate the codes online in less than an hour. Generating the codes was free and they are printed on regular copy paper.
The art that is on display is chosen by the Conway Public Art Committee and, upon approval, the art is installed by Patrick himself.
This innovative use of the codes has turned a normal art gallery into an interactive art gallery. With QR codes able to link to any kind of online content, more exhibits may adopt using the code as an easy and cost effective way to display art.
