2016

Awkward Consequence

AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE consists of individual experiences in a collective space.

Mixed-reality installation

Participants using smartphone VR viewers during the Awkward Consequence performance.

“Reality is becoming a stereo-reality. Just as with sounds you can make a difference between somber tones and clear tones, so there will be a concrete, actual reality and a virtual reality. From now on, humankind will have to act in two worlds at once. This opens up extraordinary possibilities, but at the same time we face the test of a tearing-up of the being, with awkward consequences.”

— Paul Virilio

Open video separately

AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE is a massive VR performance.

AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE consists of individual experiences in a collective space. A live music performance unfolds simultaneously in virtual and physical space.

The performance offers a sequential experience inside VR that resembles a journey. Starting from traditional "classic" VR imagery, through the introduction of elements that seemingly defy the physical reality, participants are exposed to a new, awkward and uncanny space. The journey lasts for about fifteen minutes. The music is played in real time and it influences the VR world, creating an immersive multimedia experience.

Originally inspired by the work of Paul Virilio, AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE's proposal appears contradictory: every participant shares an individual experience. The performance explores and stretches the notions of performance and place, through the simultaneous attendance of a personal, unique and private event.

Implementation

AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE uses the participants’ mobile phones together with Google cardboard-like viewers to experience its VR world. The app is built with Unity3D, with the 3D models and pre-rendered sequences done with 3DStudio.

We created a local WiFi network that allows 100+ simultaneous users. Although the app pre-downloads the content, the performance is orchestrated by a server written in C++ using OpenFrameworks.

Original animation (GIF)

Fragmented grey angular forms suspended in a three-dimensional scene.

A web of fine grey wireframe lines against black.

Grey virtual landscape with hanging abstract forms and bright white patches.

White wireframe terrain against a black background.

Floating white cubes inside a dark rectangular tunnel.

White cubes suspended within a red wireframe corridor.

Collective performance space for Awkward Consequence with participants using VR viewers.

A performer at the mixing desk faces an outdoor audience during Awkward Consequence.

Audience members use handheld cardboard VR viewers during the outdoor performance.

Musicians perform below a large screen displaying circular graphics.

Two participants hold red VR viewers to their eyes.

A participant raises a cardboard VR viewer while standing among the audience.

Audience members watch through cardboard VR viewers in a covered public space.

Three performers work at a laptop and electric guitar.

A performer addresses the gathered audience with a microphone.

Three performers stand at a laptop while one speaks into a microphone.

AWKWARD CONSEQUENCE was possible thanks to the help of the following institutions:

Institutions acknowledged for supporting Awkward Consequence.

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