Voices of VR #1697: Can Immersive Art Revitalize Civic Engagement? Netherlands CIIIC Funds “Shared Reality” Initiative
Dec 7, 2025
Martijn de Waal, a Professor of Civic Interaction Design at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, dives into how immersive art can boost civic engagement. He shares insights on creating interactive public spaces and the role of technology in community connection. Discussions include the challenges of measuring impact, the significance of shared experiences in democracy, and innovative ways to design digital tools for civic life. Martijn's transdisciplinary approach blends various fields to enrich public discourse and civic participation.
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Immersive As Public Space
- Immersive can merge storytelling and public-space experience into a shared civic arena.
- Collective immersive experiences can function as modern public spaces that foster trust and conversation.
From Film Studies To Interactive Masterclass
- Martijn traces his engagement from film studies into interactive storytelling in the 1990s and early 2000s.
- He organized a masterclass bridging filmmakers, TV producers, and interaction designers to explore new media formats.
CIIIC Funds Broad Immersive Research
- The CIIIC is a large Dutch immersive coalition funding a broad range of sectors, not just entertainment.
- A dedicated artistic-research corner supports new formats and collective storytelling experiments.