Faust’s Anomaly: Interactive portrait-making with Goethe’s relics

Projekte Augmented and Virtual Reality Design

An immersive journey into Goethe’s collections using 3D interaction, portrait-building, and print takeaway

A project by Alina Miller, Connor Gagyi, Myrsini Baxevani & Zehong Shao
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank Gabler, Prof. Philip Hausmeier, Fabian Rücker, Franziska Ritter & Maren Demant
Project done in Study Semester 5 | Winter 2024/2025

About Project

Paint Goethe is a digital interactive experience that reimagines Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s legacy through a multi-layered user journey. Developed in collaboration with the Klassik Stiftung, the project introduces guests to Goethe's expansive collections in a deeply personal and participatory way. A central feature of the experience is a dial with buttons that allow users to explore different thematic elements of Goethe’s collections. Each button activates a 3D model of an object from his archive, which users can manipulate to learn more about its background and significance. In the center of this experience is Goethe’s portrait, awaiting interaction.

Once users familiarize themselves with the available objects, they are invited to construct a personalized portrait of Goethe, using the 3D items. The visual reference here draws inspiration from Giuseppe Arcimboldo, whose artistic style involves forming human faces from symbolic items.

The process culminates in the creation of a unique interpretation of Goethe—one that reflects the user’s own perspective on his diverse interests. After finalizing their artwork, guests can place a virtual picture frame over the portrait to “lock in” their composition. From there, they are prompted to select one of six Goethe quotes, adding a textual dimension to their image.

To enhance the emotional payoff, an 1826-style pinhole camera appears in-app, allowing the guest to view and photograph their custom creation. This image can then be printed onto a small physical card, providing a tangible memento of the experience. The combination of interactive 3D elements, historical narrative, and tactile takeaway creates a rich educational encounter that is both personal and memorable.