# Unexpected Growth — Augmented reality artwork > Augmented reality artwork installation of a coral reef on a museum terrace. (iPhone/iPad app by Tamiko Thiel.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unexpected-growth/id1416098058 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Tamiko Thiel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1416098057) - Category: Entertainment - Price: Free - Rating: 4.40/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 64 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2018-08-05 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unexpected-growth/id1416098058/reviews.md ## What is Unexpected Growth? "Unexpected Growth," by Tamiko Thiel (with /p), is a geolocative, site specific augmented reality art installation commissioned by the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. It premiered in the exhibition "Programmed: Rules, Codes, and Choreographies in Art, 1965–2018," from September 28, 2018 - April 14, 2019. To experience it, download the „Unexpected Growth“ app to your own smartphone, go onto the Whitney Museum 6th floor terrace and look around the terrace in the display of this app. You will find yourself surrounded by a coral reef, as if the sea water levels have risen to inundate the entire Whitney Museum under water. Occasional waves seem to sweep the corals back and forth - they have become mobile, to better respond to changing climate conditions. In nature, many corals are self-similar structures following simple, repetitive rules of growth, which can often be described as mathematical „Lindenmayer systems.“ Here, you can see that the corals are forming these Lindenmayer systems out of plastic waste. Is this our future, as plastic waste becomes more numerous than the fish in the sea? Construction and use of smartphones is also a factor contributing to global climate change. As more and more visitors view the corals at the Whitney, their colors slowly bleach to white. Only after many hours of rest from the mediated human gaze will the corals regain their vibrant colors. ## Key features - Augmented reality art experience - Geolocative installation - Site-specific artwork - Interactive coral reef - Environmental commentary - Dynamic visual changes ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unexpected-growth/id1416098058/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Beautiful use of AR *2020-10-02* One of the most creative AR uses and beautifully expressive (but, yeah, damning). The app worked even when I got home in upstate NY (3hrs from Manhattan) and one other time I believe. Turned location service and data on for the app today and it’s gone. It’s been more than a year since I used the app though. Bummer. What a great project to show friends. ### 5/5 — Beautiful and damning *2019-02-18* Beautiful, colourful augmented reality underwater organisms are, on closer inspection, made of our discarded plastic. Go at different times to see the “coral” bleach out. ### 3/5 — Be aware... *2018-12-23* ...this application is useful only on the 6th floor of the Whitney museum; elsewhere it does nothing but maintain access to your location and camera. ## Frequently asked questions about Unexpected Growth ### What is Unexpected Growth? Unexpected Growth is an augmented reality art installation by Tamiko Thiel, commissioned by the Whitney Museum of American Art. It transforms a museum terrace into an underwater coral reef made of plastic waste. ### How do I experience Unexpected Growth? To experience Unexpected Growth, download the app to your smartphone and visit the Whitney Museum's 6th-floor terrace. Look around the terrace through the app to see the augmented reality artwork. ### What is the theme of Unexpected Growth? The artwork explores environmental themes, highlighting the impact of plastic waste on marine life and the contribution of smartphone usage to climate change. It also comments on how human interaction can affect digital art. ### Does Unexpected Growth have ads? No, Unexpected Growth does not contain advertisements. It is a free application focused on the art installation experience. ### What devices support Unexpected Growth? Unexpected Growth is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed for mobile augmented reality experiences. ### When was Unexpected Growth last updated? The latest version of Unexpected Growth was updated on August 28, 2023. The app was originally released on August 5, 2018. ### What is the age rating for Unexpected Growth? Unexpected Growth has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide audience, including children. ### What do users think of Unexpected Growth? Users have rated Unexpected Growth highly, with an average of 4.4 stars from 8 ratings. This suggests a positive reception to the app's unique artistic and environmental message. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0 — 2023-08-28 Version 2.0 is a bug fix release, no new features were added. ### 1.5 — 2022-03-06 Version 1.5 is a bug-fix release, no new features were added. ### 1.4 — 2018-11-09 Version 1.4 is a bugfix release, resolving a stability issue. No new features were added. ### 1.3 — 2018-11-07 Version 1.3 is a bugfix release, resolving licensing issue and increasing stability. No new features were added. ### 1.2 — 2018-09-13 Bug fix release, improving stability and usability. ## Apps similar to Unexpected Growth | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CryoLumen: Solar Ice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryolumen-solar-ice/id6444069354) | — | Free | Entertainment | | [Portals XR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portals-xr/id1582686328) | — | Free | Entertainment | | [Dreaming Mind AR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dreaming-mind-ar/id1638927257) | — | Free | Entertainment | | [o_o matopoeia](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/o-o-matopoeia/id1534464906) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Entertainment | | [Atlås](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atlas/id1213311473) | 5.0 (1) | $1.99 | Entertainment | | [Tracer - A Musical Memory Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracer-a-musical-memory-game/id6477837958) | — | Free | Entertainment | ## More apps by Tamiko Thiel - [ARpoise](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpoise/id1451460843) - [AR-vos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ar-vos/id1483218444) - [Tamiko Thiel AR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tamiko-thiel-ar/id6502963749) All apps by Tamiko Thiel: https://appshunter.io/developer/1416098057 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*