Scenario Description
Within large European R&D projects a lot of the research is executed along pre-planned lines. However, exploration of the boundaries and possibilities of the research is also vital: this is the role of the art-scenario within SHARESPACE. Whereas the health and the sport scenario are top-down use-cases focused on the exploitation of SHARESPACE technology, the art scenario is a bottom-up use-case focused on experimentation and exploration.
The art scenario is coordinated by the Ars Electronica Futurelab located in Linz, Austria. Located at the Ars Electronica Center in Linz is the Deep Space 8K. This specific space allows for immersive extended reality experiences due to high quality 16×9 meters stereoscopic wall and floor projections. Artworks shown in Deep Space 8K can be made interactive by its laser tracking system PHARUS, which enables the system to determine the 2D position of objects on the floor. During the project, three artworks utilizing SHARESPACE technology will be developed in Deep Space 8K and presented at the Ars Electronica Festivals 2024 and 2025.
In the first half of the project, two artworks have been developed internally by the artists, designers, and developers of the Ars Electronica Futurelab. The team at the lab, specialized in working on the interface of art and technology, both conceptualizes and produces the work with the prototypical technology provided by the SHARESPACE consortium. The process of this development, which includes the creation of a plugin for Unreal Engine (commonly used by many digital artists), serves as the groundwork for the other two artworks that will be created by external media artists recruited through an ‘Open Call for Artists’.
Artistic Exploration
Converge is an interactive take on SHARESPACE principles, built in 3D for Deep Space 8k. It uses tracking for up to ten on-site participants and a motion capture suit for one off-site participant. All must collaborate to progress, communicating with the remote participant only via movement & body language. They must solve scenarios, guided only by subtle visual cues. The minimalistic style highlights movements and interactions, ending with participants herding crowds of AI characters.
*falcon heavy is a shared multi-user experience for Deep Space 8K. It comprises a spatial dialog between live participants and an ever-shifting entity within a ritualistic virtual arena. This prototypical interactive real-time artwork sits between the cornerstones of chaos and order. Being in sync shifts audio-visual noise into recognizable patterns and structures. Synchronous signals can be found in a spatial collaborative effort as 4-5 people participate.
Open Call for Artists 2023
State of Play: شهر بازی is a deconstructed interpretation of seven labors of Rostam, the lonely warrior of Shahnameh (book of kings), the long epic poem written between 977-1010 CE by the Persian poet Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi. State of Play: شهر بازی deconstructs the conventions of the game industry, boss fights, Persian mythology and poetry, and new media.
In this participative performance, the audience is provided with a set of storylines that lead to an interactive journey. During which, the audience has ultimate control over the story’s further development through their interactions and narrative choices. A commentary game master will help the audience to interact with the piece and make decisions.
