Stand in the right spot in the historic heart of Asunción, hold up your phone, and suddenly the wall begins to sing. A century after José Asunción Flores gave Paraguay its soul-stirring Guarania, his portrait on a fresh mural bursts into life: Colours swirling, notes floating into the air, light pulsing to the rhythm of the nation’s most beloved melody – all through the magic of augmented reality.
Located on Calle O’Leary, almost at the corner of Paraguayo Independiente and directly opposite the José Asunción Flores Museum, “Guarania Viva en Realidad Aumentada” (Live Guarania in Augmented Reality) forms part of the wider initiative “ARte Asunción: Murales Vivos en el Corazón Histórico” (Living Murals in the Historic Heart).
The mural was created by acclaimed young artist Elvio Cohene, a painter, illustrator and muralist from Pirayú, known for his expressive and imaginative style.
Augmented reality brings the wall to life
What sets the piece apart is its pioneering use of augmented reality (AR). By scanning a simple QR code with a smartphone, passers-by trigger animations that overlay the physical mural with music, movement and light, turning a static artwork into an immersive, multisensory experience.
“This mural does far more than beautify an urban space,” explains Ricardo Sanabria, project coordinator and director of Asunción Live, the city’s cultural and tourism promotion platform. “It introduces technological innovation into public art, allowing culture to be experienced in a fresh, emotional and participatory way. This model could easily be replicated in other Paraguayan cities to boost cultural tourism and strengthen local identity.”
Official unveiling draws crowds
The recent inauguration ceremony brought together cultural authorities, representatives from the Fondo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (FONDEC), officials from Asunción Municipality’s Directorate of Culture and Tourism, artists, invited guests, and local residents. Attendees were able to witness first-hand how the Guarania, the musical genre that defines Paraguay, merges seamlessly with visual art and modern technology to shape the nation’s cultural future.
The project was awarded funding by FONDEC, with additional backing from the Municipal Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
Revitalising Asunción’s historic centre
“Guarania Viva en Realidad Aumentada” is seen as a significant step in the ongoing revitalisation of Asunción’s Centro Histórico, demonstrating how thoughtful urban interventions can drive tourism, spark innovation and encourage greater community engagement through art.
- Initiative: ARte Asunción: Murales Vivos en el Corazón Histórico;
- Artwork title: Guarania Viva en Realidad Aumentada;
- Artist: Elvio Cohene;
- General coordination: Ricardo Sanabria Flores;
- Funded by: Fondo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (FONDEC);
- Supported by: Dirección de Cultura y Turismo, Municipalidad de Asunción.
