VR Studio 2018

Overview

Between January and April 2018, Tactical Space Lab hosted an experimental virtual reality lab with artists Alex Seton, Jason Wing, Joan Ross, and Bianca Willoughby.

Through an ‘incubator’ style experimental studio, each artist worked with media artist and Tactical Space Lab Director Josh Harle to explore virtual reality and other emerging technologies, experiments, and develop collaborative studies related to their practice.

With the emergence of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies into a contemporary media landscape (driven predominantly by commercial forces), it is essential that creative practitioners have access to the skills and competencies needed to utilise, re-appropriate, and even subvert these technologies. This lab will address the lack of skill development opportunities available for these emerging technologies.

The value of the studio extended beyond the outcomes of each artists’ individual work; through the activities of the artists the lab generated a set of examples and learning resources for other practitioners in the use of these technologies. In partnership with Casula Powerhouse, Information & Culture Exchange (ICE), Cementa Festival, and the Centre for Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX), the knowledge gained during the project was shared with a wider audience through open studios, and local and regional workshops that used the artists’ projects as showcases to engage participants.

Technologies

The lab featured the large array of virtual reality technologies that Tactical Space Lab has acquired and developed competency with as part of practice-based research, commissions, and collaborative digital media projects.

Technologies available include:

  • performing photogrammetry scans of real-world objects
  • creating modelled virtual environments
  • the use of Tiltbrush VR spatial painting and sculpting software
  • recording and playing back 3D motion using tracked 3D controllers and Kinect
  • mixed/collage 3D spaces visualized through VR headsets
  • 360 video presentation with ambisonic sound (from live and/or rendered virtual environments)
  • GearVR/Google Cardboard/Oculus Rift/HTC Vive seated and room-scale VR experiences
  • Leap motion hand tracking
  • HTC Vive Pro with HTC wireless connectivity, for untethered experiences

Documentation videos

Artists

Supporters and Partners

Tactical Space Lab has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Tactical Space Lab is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.