Voices of VR

In this conversation, Dutch artist Sjef van Beers delves into his creative journey with the Gamer Keyboard Wall Piece series. He explains how he transforms RGB keyboards into animated displays, discussing the intricate hardware hacking involved. The talk also covers the intersection of gamer culture and politics, exploring empathy in online interactions and the rejection narrative surrounding gamers. Sjef shares insights on curating digital artifacts and previews his innovative projects like hacked self-scanners, making for a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary digital art.

Matt Romijn, a performance artist and theatre practitioner, dives into the innovative world of hybrid stage pieces and interactive narratives. He discusses his recent project, MILKMAN ZERO, a live text-adventure performance, drawing inspiration from fifty years of text games. Romijn shares insights on audience interaction, his unique performance style, and the technical workflow behind creating his theatrical experiences. He also explores the future of interactive performance, emphasizing a generational shift towards blending gaming with theater.

In this conversation, Jeroen van Loon, a Dutch artist dedicated to documenting digital culture, delves into his fascinating long-term project, Life Needs Internet. He shares insights on how a 2010 offline experiment transformed into a global archive of handwritten letters. Jeroen highlights generational shifts in attitudes toward the internet, with letters revealing both connections and critiques of technology. The importance of preserving physical archives over digital ones is also discussed, along with thoughts on the future of communication and AI's potential impact.

Albert Johnson, known as Vile, is a music artist and immersive creator renowned for his photorealistic 3D environments. He discusses the inception of his immersive album AÜTO/MÖTOR, blending web 1.0 aesthetics with interactive experiences. Johnson shares his journey of self-teaching code to create a visual album, highlights the inspirations from his Chicago roots, and critiques the music industry's traditional formats. He anticipates a future of immersive music shaped by bespoke 3D and AI-generated content, advocating for impactful storytelling in music.

Nathalie Lawhead, known as Alien Melon, is an experimental game designer and net artist exploring internet culture and anti-big tech themes. In a fascinating discussion, she delves into the nostalgia for early internet creativity, critiques the social media's mental health toll, and highlights artists’ struggles against the tech industry. Lawhead also advocates for reclaiming decentralized networks and discusses her innovative playable essay, showcasing how art can restore empathy in a commodified digital landscape.

Claudix Vanesix, a Peruvian performance artist and director of Feedback: An Antifuturist Musical, joins digital artist Aaron Medina to discuss their innovative project. They dive into the concept of anti-futurism, exploring its political implications and how it challenges dominant narratives. The duo shares their creative processes, including the fusion of diverse musical styles like reggaeton and vaporwave. Technical challenges, such as CGI and motion capture, are tackled, highlighting their unique artistic collaboration. They call for solidarity to support local creators and promote inclusive platforms.

Nina van Doren, a co-curator at IDFA DocLab, and Caspar Sonnen, its founder and lead curator, discuss the upcoming theme, 'Off the Internet,' which critiques online culture while showcasing immersive installations. They introduce the concept of 'Perception Art,' blending fiction and documentary elements. Notable works include a nostalgic web-walking game, an interactive hip-hop album experience, and a VR piece that animates scanned specimens. The conversation also highlights the importance of reclaiming personal digital spaces in an age of social media.

In this captivating discussion, Dr. Morrow, an anonymous Moscow-based artist and VRChat worldbuilder, shares insights into his surreal creations like the Organism trilogy and Olympia. He reveals his chaotic creative process, emphasizing art for personal fulfillment over commercial demands. Dr. Morrow dives into the importance of sound design, using audio and weather to enhance player experience in his vast, dreamlike environments. He also reflects on his architectural inspirations and critiques the current trajectory of VR, advocating for more innovative ideas.

Charlie Melcher, founder of The Future of Storytelling, discusses his new book exploring over 50 immersive 'living stories.' He highlights how storytelling is evolving to be agentic, responsive, and social. Melcher shares insights from experiences he visited around the globe, emphasizing the importance of participation and agency in modern narratives. He redefines audiences as 'actiences' to stress active involvement. The conversation also delves into the transformative power of immersive storytelling and its potential to instill agency in future generations.

Alexis Scalice, Vice President of Business Development and Entertainment at Cosm, shares insights about the groundbreaking "Cinematic Shared Reality" experience at Cosm, where The Matrix is redefined within an immersive dome. She explains how the expansion beyond the classic 16x9 frame enhances emotional impact and audience engagement. The discussion covers the collaboration with creative partners, the art of selecting scenes, and the innovative use of lighting and color to evoke feelings. Alexis also hints at exciting future projects, including Willy Wonka.