VR/360°/GAMES@ANIMATEKA
27. november – 9. december 2018, Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova
Otvoritev razstave/Exhibition opening: 27. november, 19:00
With this exhibition, we are bringing together a collection of the best new VR and 360° experiences in author animated film: some of these international works are waiting to be explored, while others encourage guests to actively participate in the virtual world. On top of that, we will present also some groundbraking computer generated interactive games.
The exhibition is open on the following dates: 28 November to 2 December 2018, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 3 to 9 December 2018 from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Organised groups are required to book their visit in advance at VR@animateka.si.
The exhibition is part of the 15th edition of Animateka, which runs from 3 to 9 December in Kinodvor, the Slovenian Cinematheque and the Old Power Station – Elektro Ljubljana. More information: animateka.si.
Exhibited VR works
David O’Reilly, "Everything", Ireland, USA, 2017, Interactive Game, 6+
There is no right or wrong way to play Everything. The philosophy behind the game is serious and funny at the same time, silly, sincere, rational and absurd. It contradicts and criticizes itself designed to be experienced in all of its parts. Everything is an interactive open world simulation. It involves traveling and seeing the universe from different perspectives narrated by British philosopher Alan Watts. The game allows player to do whatever they want, it plays itself if let alone. Everything was designed to create moments of peace, beauty, sadness and joy.
Michael Frei, Mario von Rickenbach (Etter Studio): "PLUG & PLAY", Switzerland, 2015, interaktivna igra/ Interactive Game, 6+
Plug & Play is a surreal game with plugs. Witnessing and exploring feelings of anthropoid creatures that go beyond sexuality and reproduction: love, run, hit, switch, fall, plug, pull and push. A short film and game for digital devices drawn by Michael Frei and coded by Mario von Rickenbach.
Michael Frei, Mario von Rickenbach (Playables/ Double Fine Presents), "KIDS" Switzerland, USA, Interactive Game, 2018, 6+
Kids is an experimental project about the psychology of the group. The final products are an artistic animated short film, a short game and an interactive exhibition. This is the second collaboration of director and animator Michael Frei and game designer Mario von Rickenbach after their awardwinning animated short film and short game Plug & Play.
Paloma Dawkins (NFB), "Museum of Symmetry", Canada, 2018, VR-Game, 13+
An absurdist mind-and-body romp through the highest clouds to the ocean deep, Museum of Symmetry is the explosive feel-good alter-universe of cartoonist and animator Paloma Dawkins, produced by the National Film Board of Canada and brought to life by pioneer VR studio Casa Rara. A roomscale VR metaphor for life, it takes the player through landscapes of earth, fire, wind and water, where vivacious 2D characters live in a 3D playground. Museum of Symmetry disrupts conventional game storytelling to create an unexpected pleasure-positive trip in VR as never experienced before.
Bandits Collective (Bands Collective/Picnic Studio), "Les petites choses" France, UK, 2017, VR-Animation, 6+
Les Petites Choses is rendered in dazzling impressionistic and painterly style. The audience will inhabit Louis, an imaginative and mischievous 7-year-old, and meet his eccentric grandparents while exploring their summery French suburban house. The audience will experience the story from multiple viewpoints. Shifting between third person, God-like omniscience and Louis’ little POV. Highlights include watching the dollhouse interplay of the entire household and the colourful synesthetic episodes brought about by the mouth-watering feasts prepared by his Grandmother. At once a meditation on family dynamics and an experiment in narrative form, Louis will accompany the viewer into realms both immersive and utterly removed as he and his family experience a life changing event.
Michelle & Uri Kranot (Dansk Tegenefilm/Miyu), "NOTHING HAPPENS VR", Denmark, France, 2016, VR-Animation, 13+
Nothing Happens is a cinematic VR experience which questions the role of the spectator, by inviting the individual to participate in an event. VR allows us to choose our perspective, allows us to dwell on the details and absorb the unique atmosphere. Nothing Happens offers a new way of looking. It is about spectatorship, about watching and being watched. It is about being present.
Munro Ferguson (NFB), "Minotaur", Canada, 2014, 360° Animation, 13+
In Minotaur, the archetypal hero takes a journey through seven stages: birth, childhood, mission, labyrinth, monster, battle and death/rebirth. Through purely abstract, moving images, the corresponding emotional states are conveyed: calm, love, joy, surprise, fear, anger/hate, and death/rebirth leading again to calm. The cycles continue until the stars burn out and there is nothing left. MINOTAUR was created stereoscopically in IMAX Sandde (Stereoscopic Animation Drawing Device), the world’s first freehand stereoscopic 3D animation software.
Will Anderson (Will Anderson), "Have Heart", UK, 2017, 360° Animation, 13+
Have Heart, the newest instalment of director and writer Will Anderson, lets you experience the fate of a looping GIF that has an existential crisis in full 360°.
Theodore Ushev (NFB), "Blind Vaysha VR" Canada, 2017, 360° Animation, 13+
Blind Vaysha tells the story of Vaysha, a young girl born with one green eye and one brown eye. But colour isn’t the only thing that’s different about Vaysha’s gaze. While her left eye sees only the past; her right sees only the future. Like a terrible curse, Vaysha’s split vision prevents her from inhabiting the present. Blinded by what was and tormented by what will be, she remains trapped between two irreconcilable temporalities.
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Manu Weiss (Switzerland), immersive media artist, virtual curator After a degree in design and animation Manu Weiss worked in varied positions in the field of audiovisual media as a director, animator and compositor for animated shorts, video mapping, commercials, games and feature films. With the new era of augmented and virtual reality, multiple curated immersive media exhibitions followed. Manu Weiss is an avid advocate for new technologies, art, animation and storytelling.
