Past Exhibition
A New Lens on the Japanese American Incarceration
About the BeHere / 1942 Augmented Reality App
The BeHere / 1942 exhibition inside JANM is complemented by a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) installation between the Museum’s Historic Building and Pavilion on the JANM Plaza.
Created by the visionary Japanese media artist Masaki Fujihata, the installation is inspired by the March and May 1942 photographs of Los Angeles-based incarcerees being taken to Manzanar or the Santa Anita temporary detention facility.
The installation is accompanied by the BeHere / 1942 AR app, which lets visitors walk around in the recreation among Japanese Americans on the verge of leaving for the camps. Realized with the participation of members of the local Japanese American community, this recreation includes three people who themselves experienced life in the camps as children.
Visitors can check out iPads at JANM to participate in the experience. iPads can be checked out for 20 minutes to allow others to participate in this activity. If visitors enjoy the AR experience on the iPads, they can download the AR app onto their personal iOS device for their own purposes.
The BeHere / 1942 AR app and AR experience will continue to be accessible after the close of the exhibition. Share the experience on social media using #BeHere1942.
About the BeHere / 1942 Augmented Reality App
The BeHere / 1942 exhibition inside JANM is complemented by a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) installation between the Museum’s Historic Building and Pavilion on the JANM Plaza.
Created by the visionary Japanese media artist Masaki Fujihata, the installation is inspired by the March and May 1942 photographs of Los Angeles-based incarcerees being taken to Manzanar or the Santa Anita temporary detention facility.
The installation is accompanied by the BeHere / 1942 AR app, which lets visitors walk around in the recreation among Japanese Americans on the verge of leaving for the camps. Realized with the participation of members of the local Japanese American community, this recreation includes three people who themselves experienced life in the camps as children.
Visitors can check out iPads at JANM to participate in the experience. iPads can be checked out for 20 minutes to allow others to participate in this activity. If visitors enjoy the AR experience on the iPads, they can download the AR app onto their personal iOS device for their own purposes.
The BeHere / 1942 AR app and AR experience will continue to be accessible after the close of the exhibition. Share the experience on social media using #BeHere1942.
About the BeHere / 1942 Augmented Reality App
The BeHere / 1942 exhibition inside JANM is complemented by a groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) installation between the Museum’s Historic Building and Pavilion on the JANM Plaza.
Created by the visionary Japanese media artist Masaki Fujihata, the installation is inspired by the March and May 1942 photographs of Los Angeles-based incarcerees being taken to Manzanar or the Santa Anita temporary detention facility.
The installation is accompanied by the BeHere / 1942 AR app, which lets visitors walk around in the recreation among Japanese Americans on the verge of leaving for the camps. Realized with the participation of members of the local Japanese American community, this recreation includes three people who themselves experienced life in the camps as children.
Visitors can check out iPads at JANM to participate in the experience. iPads can be checked out for 20 minutes to allow others to participate in this activity. If visitors enjoy the AR experience on the iPads, they can download the AR app onto their personal iOS device for their own purposes.
The BeHere / 1942 AR app and AR experience will continue to be accessible after the close of the exhibition. Share the experience on social media using #BeHere1942.
Experience the BeHere / 1942 App at JANM
Check Out iPads from JANM
To enjoy the BeHere / 1942 AR app in the JANM Plaza, please follow these steps:
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Check out an iPad at JANM by signing a release form and leaving an official form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport with JANM staff.
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Walk outside into the JANM Plaza with the iPad. Swipe up on the iPad to access the home screen.
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Tap the BeHere / 1942 icon to open the AR app.
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The question “Are you in the plaza outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?” will appear on the screen. Tap “Yes.” The iPad will enter camera mode and 3D AR models will appear on the screen.
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Walk around the JANM plaza to explore the BeHere / 1942 AR installation. Walk up to the 3D models to animate them on the iPad screen.
Download to Your Personal Device
If you prefer to download the app to your personal iOS device:
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Download the BeHere / 1942 AR app from the Apple App Store on a personal device.
The app is only available on the Apple App Store. It is compatible with iPhone 12 Pro and iOS 15.5. Please note that the AR app is 922.9 MB and that the documents and data for the app will take up an additional 2–6.5 GB of storage, depending on the version you install (as of 5/10/22).
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Find the BeHere / 1942 icon on your device’s home screen to open the AR app.
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Download one of two BeHere / 1942 AR experiences listed below. Both allow visitors to experience a sample of the complete AR installation at JANM.
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A “Standard” set of 3D models—requires about 2 GB of free storage and gives the 3D models brief movements.
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An “Extended” set of 3D models—requires about 6.5 GB of free storage and gives the 3D models more movement.
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The question “Are you in the plaza outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?” will appear on the screen.
Tap “Yes,” which will allow the BeHere / 1942 app to access the AR scene in the JANM Plaza. The personal device will enter camera mode and 3D AR models will appear on the screen.
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Walk around the JANM plaza to explore the BeHere / 1942 AR installation. Walk up to the 3D models to animate them on your device.
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Use the photo or video options on your device to share your experience with others. Share the experience on social media using #BeHere1942.
Experience from Anywhere in the World
Download to Your Device
Download the BeHere / 1942 AR app onto your personal iOS device to experience the augmented reality models from anywhere in the world.
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Download the BeHere / 1942 AR app from the Apple App Store on a personal device.
The app is only available on the Apple App Store. It is compatible with iPhone 12 Pro and iOS 15.5. Please note that the AR app is 922.9 MB and that the documents and data for the app will take up an additional 2–6.5 GB of storage, depending on the version you install (as of 5/10/22).
-
Find the BeHere / 1942 icon on your device’s home screen to open the AR app.
-
Download one of two BeHere / 1942 AR experiences listed below. Both allow visitors to experience a sample of the complete AR installation at JANM.
-
A “Standard” set of 3D models—requires about 2 GB of free storage and gives the 3D models brief movements.
-
An “Extended” set of 3D models—requires about 6.5 GB of free storage and gives the 3D models more movement.
-
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The question “Are you in the plaza outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles?” will appear on the screen.
Tap “No.” The BeHere / 1942 AR app will access individual 3D AR models. They can be placed anywhere in the world around the user.
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Scan the area around you until a red box appears on the screen. The shape and color of the box indicates how accurately the app can place 3D AR models.
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Once the app indicates a high degree of accuracy, tap the red box. This will place a 3D model from BeHere / 1942 at that location. Walk around the model to explore the AR experience. If you would like to see a different 3D model, tap the screen again.
FAQs
What if a red box does not appear on the screen?
Continue to scan the area around you until the red box appears on the screen. It may appear as a faint red color instead of a rich red.
Do the animated 3D models speak?
No, they only move when you walk towards them.
What devices is the BeHere / 1942 app available on?
The app is only available for iOS devices on the Apple App Store. It requires iOS 15.0 and later. The device requirements differ based on the type of experience you choose to download, but iPhone 12 Pro or higher is recommended.