In the first installation of one of the Venice Immersive exhibitions, visitors encounter a metal box about chest height equipped with a lens and two speakers. When you look inside this box, you see an image of yourself from about 20 feet up. Other guests are passing by, and a few pigeons are wandering on the ground. But when one of these passersby stops next to you for a longer time, your natural instinct is to look up to see what they want.
An Experience That Turns into a Nightmare
It is at this moment that the experience turns into a lynching nightmare. This passerby is not real — or rather, they are only real inside the box. They are wearing a blue coat and narrating a story with a heavy French accent that is not suitable for ordinary circles. They ask you why you have spent so much time watching this box. “Why do people keep looking inside this box?” they ask. “What do they hope to see? This is not reality.”
This exhibition also addresses more serious topics such as the impacts of climate change. The artworks displayed, ranging from funny and trivial stories to serious and profound issues, all reflect the complex world we live in. The Venice Festival serves as a showcase for new media, providing an opportunity for artists to present their ideas in an engaging and impactful way.
Stepping into the World of Virtual Reality
This event has ended, but its works will remain in the memories of visitors due to their deep and innovative experiences. Venice Immersive is not just an art exhibition; it is a journey into the virtual world that prompts audiences to think about reality and its perception. This festival clearly demonstrates how technology can serve art and culture and challenge us.
Source: theguardian.com
