Voices of VR

JP Desjardins and Emile Arragon, co-founders of Walrus Creative Technologies, dive into their innovative mixed reality game, 'The Secret Life of Monsters: The Gateway Experience.' They unveil their groundbreaking tracking technology that simplifies calibration steps, enhancing user engagement. Emile shares his sensitivity to VR motion sickness and how mixed reality offers a more comfortable alternative. The duo reflects on their journey from filmmaking to immersive tech, spotlighting the potential of mixed reality in storytelling and various industries.

In a captivating discussion, Andrew Schneider, a theater maker and XR artist known for his immersive works, shares insights about his innovative exhibit "NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars)." He reveals how the blend of 4000 LED lights and 392 speakers creates a mesmerizing tapestry of grief, loss, and cosmic connection through spatial audio. Schneider elaborates on the magic of minimalism in storytelling and the emotional journeys embedded in immersive art, all while highlighting the power of audience engagement in transforming perception.

Wayne Powell, the Global Artist Relations Manager at d&b audiotechnik, dives into the transformative world of spatial audio. He shares fascinating insights on how independent artists are leveraging this technology for immersive storytelling. From thrilling live performances to innovative collaborations, Powell discusses the evolving audio landscape and the exciting potential of formats like Dolby Atmos. He also reflects on memorable projects, including a unique installation with Bjork, all while championing the importance of creativity and collaboration in audio experiences.

In this lively discussion, Roman Rappak, co-founder of Wristband and an innovative musician, delves into his unique mixed reality performances that have captivated audiences at SXSW for four years. He shares insights on the evolution of live music through XR technology and the crucial role of storytelling in immersive experiences. Rappak showcases his latest spatial audio innovations, collaborating with d&b audiotechnik for a mesmerizing soundscape. With a focus on community and narrative, he emphasizes how these elements enhance audience engagement and create memorable experiences.

In a fascinating discussion, Tim Delaughter, the founder of Polyphonic Spree, shares how he sought new ways for audiences to engage with his album, leading to the creation of an immersive dome experience titled 'Resolution'. Alongside collaborator Scott Berman and technical director Ryan Hartzell, they explore the blend of music and animation, enhancing communal listening. They reveal the challenges faced in crafting a shared narrative that inspires empathy and connection, highlighting the remarkable success at SXSW and the power of immersive storytelling.

In this discussion, Peter Adams, a web developer and musician, unveils his innovative project, 'A Number from the Ghost,' which creates immersive WebXR worlds for his music. He shares insights on transitioning from music to interactive tech, showcasing how he combines sound with stunning visuals. The challenges of monetizing music in today's landscape are dissected, alongside his excitement about being commissioned by HTC for future WebXR experiences. Listeners are treated to a glimpse of the creative fusion between music and immersive art.

Samantha Gorman and Danny Cannizaro, co-studio leads at Tender Claws, delve into their award-winning VR project, 'Face Jumping.' They discuss the innovative use of eye-tracked locomotion that allows players to swap perspectives by locking eyes with characters. The podcast explores the emotionally charged narrative design, the blending of different media forms, and the poetic undercurrents of their storytelling. With a focus on immersive interactions, they also address the future of spatial computing and the evolving landscape of virtual reality experiences.

Cameron Kostopolous, director of the immersive VR piece 'In the Current of Being,' explores the harrowing impact of conversion therapy through the lens of embodied storytelling. He discusses how innovative haptic technology creates deeper emotional engagement, allowing audiences to connect profoundly with the trauma experienced by survivors. The conversation also addresses the current legal landscape surrounding conversion therapy and the importance of storytelling in driving social change, aiming to ban these practices and foster empathy for the LGBTQ+ community.

There is a six-month exhibition titled "Other Worlds Are Possible" featuring a retrospective of a dozen different immersive storytelling pieces that will shown at the Le Pavillion in Nemur, Belgium from March 22 to September 21, 2025. The exhibition was curated by independent immersive curator Ana Brzezińska, and will also feature other AR pieces, screen-based work, but also an exhibit detailing a brief history and evolution of immersive art and immersive storytelling from different design disciplines. I had a chance to catch up with Brzezińska to get a bit more context on her design intention for this exhibition, to talk about the current state of immersive art and storytelling, as well as her current focus on brining this work to traditional cultural institutions that are reaching out to mainstream audiences. Here's a list of different immersive storytelling pieces that will be featured over the next sixth months (with links to my Voices of VR podcast interviews with the creators). NOTES ON BLINDNESS (2016) SPHERES (2017) BATTLESCAR (2018) GLOOMY EYES (2019) TRAVELING WHILE BLACK (2019) THE HANGMAN AT HOME (2020) GOLIATH: PLAYING WITH REALITY (2021) PLANET CITY (2022) PLASTISAPIENS (2022) EVOLVER (2022) FROM THE MAIN SQUARE (2022) ALL THAT REMAINS (2022) OVER THE RAINBOW (2023) This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

The SXSW XR Experience Selection runs from March 9-11 and contains 15 pieces in competition and 16 pieces in the spotlight, and I had a chance to chat with SXSW's XR programmer Blake Kammerdiener about each of these pieces. He provides some highlights from the XR Track Sessions at SXSW, and also mentions that there is an immersive piece called NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars) that is showing on March 11th & 12th. See down below for some more links to different SXSW events. Here is a list of the XR experiences being shown at SXSW, and I will update this post as I post my Voices of VR podcast interviews as I've featured a dozen projects in my previous coverage. UPDATE (March 29, 2025): I've now added links to all of my subsequent coverage at SXSW down below. And be sure to check out this Linked article: Recap of All SXSW XR Experiences Including Voices of VR Podcast Interviews with Every Artist. SXSW XR Experience Competition [Overview of all of the SXSW 2025 XR Experience Program] - #1529: SXSW 2025 XR Experience Selection Sneak Peak with Programmer Blake Kammerdiener 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre - #1548: 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre Uses Phone-Based AR to Volumetrically Tell a Forgotten History Any War Any Enemy - #1490: “Any War Any Enemy” is a Beautiful Anti-War, Immersive Poem About Nuclear Annihilation Cosmos in Focus - #1554: Cosmos in Focus Contextualizes James Webb Telescope Images in Educational Immersive Planetarium Experience Currents - #1556: Currents Boldly Defines a New Era of DIY 180-Degree Immersive Filmmaking with a Kit Under $5k Face Jumping - #1532: Tenderclaws' "Face Jumping" Explores the Frontiers of Eye-Tracked Locomotion in Poetically Surreal Short Honey Fungus - #1549: Honey Fungus Cultivates Intimacy with Nature through Embodied Actions Inspired by Fungi and Queer Ecology In the Current of Being - #1531: In the Current of Being Uses Immersive Haptics to Tell the Story of Electroshock Conversation Therapy Proof As If Proof Were Needed - #1543: Proof As If Proof Were Needed Enables Audiences to Collaboratively Edit Video Feeds via Embodied Movements Reflections of Little Red Dot - #1539: Wandering in Open World Doc Archives in Mixed Reality with SXSW XR Jury Prize Winner "Reflections of Little Red Dot" Shelter - #1545: Shelter Observational 360 Documentary Shows Intimate Side of War via Ukrainian Citizen Bomb Shelters [The Choice Chapter 1] - #1075: Stereoscopic Compositing Innovations & “The Choice” Interactive Documentary Exploring Reproductive Rights in Texas The Choice - Chapters 2 and 3 - #1547: Simulating One-on-One Conversations about Abortion Experiences to Change Minds with "The Choice - Chapters 2 & 3" The Last Practice - #1542: Exploring the Paradox of Narratively Critiquing AI While Also Using AI to Make "The Last Practice" The Secret Life of Monsters - The Gateway Experience - #1538: Mixed Reality Calibration Innovations Hidden within "The Secret Life of Monsters: The Gateway Experience" Traces: The Grief Processor - #1544: Traces: The Grief Processor Immersive Documentary Invites Groups to Learn About Grief Ways of Knowing: A Navajo Nuclear History - #1546: How Indigenous Storytelling is Changing Non-Proliferation Narratives in "Ways of Knowing: A Navajo Nuclear History" SXSW XR Experience Spotlight Address Unknown: Fukushima Now - #1438: Honoring the Memory of Abandoned Ghost Towns with “Address Unknown: Fukushima Now” All I Know About Teacher Li - #1452: Immersive Documentary about Chinese Censorship “All I Know About Teacher Li” Tops Venice Immersive Audience Favorites Survey Ancestors - #1507: From Selfies to Virtual Offspring, “Ancestors” Turns Strangers into Family and Intergenerational Speculative Futures Anouschka - #1334: “Anouschka” Wins IDFA DocLab Digital Storytelling Award with AR Narrative Game about Cultural Heritage [Oyrza from DocLab 2024, but also some more discussion about Anouschka] - #1540: Hacking...