Voices of VR

In this engaging conversation, Amy Rose, Curator at Undershed and former artist from Anagram, shares insights from the gallery's inaugural year. She discusses the creative layout designed to welcome visitors and her extensive research shaping the gallery's spirit. Amy emphasizes the concept of 'liveness,' inviting audience memories into immersive experiences, and the importance of gentle debriefs post-exhibition. She also highlights the role of participation in exploration and building community through experiential art.

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.

Sergey Prokofyev is an architect-turned-immersive filmmaker, known for his visionary work in full-dome formats. He discusses transitioning from speculative 'paper' architecture to creating immersive experiences using Unreal Engine. Sergey dives into the significance of camera-first design, collective experiences in domes, and the dreamlike symbolism in his project, Eternal Habitat. He also explores the potential of reactive architecture, AI integration, and the impact of dome cinema in engaging wider audiences with architectural storytelling.

Domenico Singapedrolli, a filmmaker and artist with Swiss, Thai, and Italian roots, shares insights into his VR work, Another Place. He discusses how his architecture training influences environmental storytelling and the emotional nuances in 3D space. Domenico delves into personal ties to France and Thailand, highlighting his engagement with Thai political refugees. He explores innovative interaction design through mobile devices and reflects on the immersive potential of VR to foster empathy and document real stories, particularly that of a transgender protagonist's exile.

Monique Grimord and Vitor Freire, co-founders of Imagination of Things, share insights on their innovative game, Unimaginable Red. Monique, an art director with a passion for design, talks about creating a fantastical take on Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Vitor, a narrative guru, delves into the inclusive storytelling shaped by real-life collaboration with local sex workers. They discuss themes of pleasure, gentrification, and queering experiences, all while navigating the creative challenges of the project. Their mission? To provoke thought and explore diverse sexualities within a playful, immersive environment.

Janire Najera, creative director at 4Pi Productions and co-founder of Calvia Lab, and Matthew Wright, artistic director at Culture Lab, explore the intriguing realm of immersive domes. They discuss how their backgrounds in dance and photography shaped their innovative approach to dome storytelling. Topics include the challenges of live capture and audience comfort, the historical significance of domes, and the potential of shared immersive experiences to foster empathy. They also emphasize the need for better accessibility and standards to support grassroots creators.

Maarten Isaak de Heer, an animator and immersive artist, delves into his innovative work, We Are Dead Animals, where he 3D scans and reanimates found dead animals. He shares fascinating insights into his scanning process and the creation of a dome installation reflecting the cycle of life and death. The discussion also touches on gameplay mechanics, empathy towards animals, and incorporating stories into scanned creatures. Maarten's unique blend of art and technology offers a playful and thought-provoking exploration of mortality and renewal.

Luna Maurer and Roel Wouters, artists at the forefront of interactive design, delve into their participatory film, Deep Soup. They advocate for 'human friction' in digital spaces, critiquing tech's push for seamlessness. Their Designing Friction manifesto emphasizes the importance of physical engagement and social interaction. The film utilizes community contributions to explore themes of gravity and embodied experiences, challenging the ease of AI while celebrating true creativity. Maurer and Wouters call for a return to collective experiences that reconnect people in the physical world.

Victorine van Alphen, a director and philosopher specializing in immersive experiences, shares her insights on blending technology and art. She explores the evolution of her project, The Oracle: Ritual for the Future, discussing themes of vulnerability and transition. Victorine delves into post-humanity, using AI to critique its biases, and emphasizes the importance of ethics in immersive storytelling. With a focus on creating emotional journeys and fostering post-show reflections, she ignites discussions on the potential of immersive rituals and the future of our bodily experiences.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Victorine van Alphen, a transmedia artist and curator, dives into her unique blend of immersive technology and philosophy. She shares how her diverse background influences her work, particularly her project IVF-X, which provocatively merges reproduction and post-humanism. Victorine explores complex themes like gender, cyborg identities, and the ethical dilemmas of genetic selection. Her insights on creating digital presence in VR challenge traditional storytelling, inviting deeper philosophical reflections on existence and agency.