Podcasts about artist statement

This post officially kicks off my Venice Immersive 2025 coverage, see links to all 38 episodes and 30+ hours of interviews down below. We're starting off with the interview that I did with Doug Liman (co-founder of 30 Ninjas), Julina Tatlock (co-founder of 30 Ninjas), & Jed Weintrob (co-founder of 30 Ninjas), & Max Spear (Product Lead of Android XR at Google) about Asteroid on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Asteroid: "Asteroid is an immersive film and interactive story extension made for the launch of Google's new Android XR platform. The 180° immersive short film is a high-stakes action thriller about a group of strangers who take an old Russian Soyuz rocket to mine a near-earth, treasure laden asteroid for a chance at unimaginable wealth. After the film, the experience continues and the audience enters the world of Asteroid when they receive an SOS from one of the characters, DK Metcalf, who was left for dead. The viewer becomes a player when they are invited to aid in DK's rescue. Through speaking with an AI-generated version of DK — played by the NFL player as himself — the user determines the truth about what happened on the asteroid and sends his exact location to NASA for rescue." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Long distance travel [9] where someone is left behind (de facto exile) [12], and there is a rescue mission where you as a character [1] help out the protagonist [7] in the second half, but also a lot of mystery [12] to figure out and investigate [9] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: cinematic Virtual Reality thriller that begins as a film and continues as an immersive story game. Combination of live-action 180-video along with CGI-driven animations also in 180-video2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Worldbuilding of sci-fi extraction of asteroid, you embody a character in story in the last part, and you break the fourth wall in the onboarding talking to the actor who plays a character via AI3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Conversational-driven AI Story Extension - You talk to the actor DK Metcalf at the beginning and with the character at the end. A bit of puzzling together of the myserious aspects of the story4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: continues as an immersive story game - Improv convo + slightly nudged and directed exploration Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Everyone are anti-heroes archetypes - Power and Greed vs Limitations, constraints, boundaries, death. Doug Liman says there aren't many anti-heroes in space movies, Han Solo is an exception. What if all of the characters were Han Solos? What drama would ensue? Artist Statement: "I've always thought of myself as an immersive filmmaker. The goal was to put the audience in the action, not to be sort of passively watching it. Now that the technology has caught up with us, I really can put the audience in the rocket. Asteroid is the story of a ragtag group of astronauts who booked a ride on a used Soyuz spacecraft. An asteroid passes near Earth. It's laden with precious metals and gems. If you can get there, you can become insanely wealthy. It's a modern gold rush." Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1163762576/d0d75004c2?fl=pl&fe=vl You can find links to my 30+ hours of my coverage from Venice Immersive 2025 across 39 episodes. I've categorized the experiences according to these "elemental genres," which is looking at the top two elemental centers of gravity. You can watch this talk on "Blending the Elements on Experiential Design" for more details. #1650: Sneak Peak of Venice Immersive 2025 Selection with Curators Liz Rosenthal and Michel Reilhac #1750: Doug Liman's "Asteroid" Short Immersive Film with Google Gemini Story Extension + Kickoff of Venice Immersive 2025 Coverage #1751: "Ghost Town" Narrative Integration in Puzzle Adventure with Exquisite Worldbuilding #1752: Blending Embodied Game & Narrative Genres with "One True Path, Part 1" #1753: Mixed Reality Town-Building and Sim Game "Wall Town Wonders" #1754: Screen Life Thriller "LILI" about Surveillance Fuses Game Design, Film, and MacBeth Adaptation #1755: Hand-Tracked Sign Language as Story Beat Triggers in "Eddie and I" #1756: Exploring Narrative Potential of Generative AI in "8pm and the Cat" #1757: Embody a Geranium in Immersive Comedy about Boredom in "The Great Escape" #1758: Reckoning with Mental Health Taboos in Japan with "If You See a Cat" Immersive Animation #1759: Mother-Daughter Team Explore Personal Challenges with Depression and Anxiety in "Mirage" Immersive Animation #1760: Immersive Fairy Tale about Automation with "The Sad Story of the Little Mouse Who Wanted to Become Somebody" #1761: Unpacking the Immersive Orchestral Mix of "1968" with Massimiliano Borghesi #1762: Fusing Experimental Immersive Animation with Cutting-Edge Orchestral Spatial Audio Mix in "1968" #1763: Blending Theater and 360 Video in "Re-Launching-Luigi-Broglio" #1764: Mixing Hand-Drawn Animation with 360 Video in "The Time Before" #1765: Immersive Action Thriller "Mulan 2125" Pushes the Edge of Graphical Fidelity #1766: Formula 1 LBE Experience "Black Cats & Chequered Flags" is an Immersive Biopic of Alberto Anscari #1767: Immersive Journey through Special Effects Pioneer Carlo Rambaldi's Paintings in "Alien Perspective" #1768: Symbolic Journey through Lithuania's Artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis' Paintings in "Creation of the World" #1769: Mixed Reality Musical on Avatars and Identity in "First Virtual Suit" #1770: Eastern Philosophy-Inspired Fusion of Theater and XR with "Mnemosyne" #1771: Environmental Storytelling in "The Great Orator" VR Diorama with Generative AI Experiments #1772: Climate Change Spatial Montage "Out of Nowhere" Aspires to Move Towards Rewilding Prevention #1773: "Collective Body" Assigns Elemental Avatars Based Upon Archetypal Dance Movements #1774: Combining Live Dance and Music in Immersive LBE Performance "L'ombre (The Shadow)" #1775: The Continuous Spatial One-Shot of Backlight's "La Magie Opera" LBE #1776: The Spatial Grammar Innovations of Dialectical Contrasts and Abstraction within "The Big Cube" #1777: Active Imagination, Associative Dream Logic, & Embodied Interactions in "Sense of Nowhere" #1778: Collaborative Social Game and Story of "Happy Shadow" #1779: "Heartbeat" Immersive, 1-on-1 Biometric Synchronization and Involuntary Collective Agency #1780: Recap of VRChat Worlds Gallery at Venice Immersive 2025 with Mike Salmon #1781: Winner of Venice Immersive 2025 "The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up" Innovates on Gaussian Splats & Spatial Storytelling #1782: "A Long Goodbye" Wins 3rd Place Prize at Venice Immersive with Emotionally-Moving Story on Dementia and Spatial Grammar Innovations #1783: "Less Than 5gr of Saffron" Wins 2nd Place Prize at Venice Immersive with Spatial Poem Quill Animation #1784: The Incredible Spatial Transitions of "Dark Rooms" with Radical Consent Innovations #1785: The Landmark Achievements of "Blur" in Fusing Theater, Montage, Mixed Reality, and LBE VR #1786: Collective Reading Experience of "Constantinopoliad" Provokes Discussion on Defining "Immersive" #1787: Blending the Elements of Experiential Design & Process-Relational Foundations of the Elements This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Daniel Ernst about The Great Orator on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Great Orator: "Once a famous TV preacher, the Great Orator died at the height of her fame. Now, her consciousness lives on as an AI, allowing her influence to grow ceaselessly. Her followers can join her again in a shared consciousness, feeding her presence and creating a spiritual singularity. Always changing, shaped by the shared memories of her followers, and therefore unsure of who she truly is. The Great Orator is a nonlinear story world, where the visitor can freely explore and interact with his environment by pointing his hands at objects in the world, no matter how small or ordinary they may seem. Remember: interaction is a choice. The journey will take the visitor to several story spaces in her world: a Preserved House she left behind; a Mainframe storing her followers in a shared consciousness; and an infinite Parking Lot stretching out below, filled with the cars of her followers. Without the visitor, the Great Orator is everything — an infinite number of possible memories and identities — and therefore nothing at all. He chooses which of her stories are true, shaping his own perception of who or what the Great Orator is or was, or if she existed at all. He is family to her, perhaps even more. Each time he visits, her stories are different; the Great Orator is never the same." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Point and Click adventure [9] and cult [9] within a speculative future [9] where a powerful psychic [9] dies [8] and becomes immortal by uploading their consciousness into a computer [9]. Cult followers, also do this. So there are themes of the loss of individual identity [1] to join the collective [11] within this very specific set of belief systems [9] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Environmental Storytelling and genre of VR Dioramas to create "perpetual environments around a specific emotional moment." Set in the distant future. Director calls audience: "Visitors who Visit" his work emphasizing the focus and emphasis on thesee virtual places. Uses post-modern architecture & liminality. A world to be explored in a sort of point and click adventure sort of way. You embodied as a ghostly aspirant ready to join the immortal spiritual cult.2nd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Exploration, point and click adventure. Also learn about the objects3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Metadata around objects - AI Generated, collaborated with a poet -- Variations on poet's work - an "infinite" number of stories. There's also a bit of puzzling together of what this world is, and what exactly it is about. It's also a speculative, sci-fi world where conscisouness can be uploaded into computers. So what are the rules of this world? Big focus on liminal spaces and intermediate spaces that don't have explicit meaning absent a transitory context going from one place to another.4th Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Not really narrative-driven. "I don't like to tell you a story. I like for you to visit the world, and the environments will tell a story." There are stories to be discovered, but much more ambient environmental storytelling. There is an AI that is scraping current news stories and injecting them into world, which gives it a bit of a surreal mirror on the current moment as it's set as more of a speculative world. There is also an ever changing quality that is amplified by the AI integrations adding a certain amount of variance. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Power is expanded until a "spiritual singularity". Dissolves identity into a bit of a collective identity by uploading consciousness into a computer (likely not even possible and so more of a delusion). Also alludes to delusionary aspects of psychics, who are taken to the logical extreme of Institutionalization. What if nothing can stop the guru believes in themselves? Artist Statement: "The Great Orator feeds on your interaction, mixed with random Internet input and live news feeds. She mixes truths and fabulations in her storytelling, thus reflecting the misinformation and normalisation of falsehoods used to fit our narratives in today's world. It feels as though reality is what you make of it, and feelings outweigh facts. Emotional and superstitious rhetoric — once the domain of mediums — now drives public discourse. Those once brought down by scandals now seem immune. The Great Orator imagines a world where such influence has grown without limit. Turn on the news to see where we are. Experience the Great Orator to see where we're headed." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuknO0VzmmE This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Sister Sylvester about Constantinopoliad on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Constantinopoliad: "Constantinopoliad is a collective reading and audio work. A response to the archive of the poet Constantine Cavafy, the story is inspired by the blank and torn-out pages in Constantinopoliad, an Epic, the journal the teenage Cavafy began when he and his family fled Alexandria; by lost and missing queer archives through time; and by the ghosts, both erotic and historical, that visit the older Cavafy in his poems." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: The exploration of identity [1] as a person has moved from his home [4], and into a distant land [9] with some feelingsof being exiled [12], but also the implication of homosexuality [5] within the context of having to remain hidden or taboo [12]. It's dipping into the vast archive [9] of Cavafy's expressions of identity [1] and poetry and art [5], and recontextualizing as these universal experiences that are still very much relevant today [9]. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: collaboratively reading together - narrative distillation of an archive. You listening to the audio narration, but you have to negotiate how to co-read this "book" object together. The form of this "book" also deviates from normal book where it is part pop-up book, but also a flat stage to be explored with the other person. This externalized book becomes a bit of an abstracted theatrical stage for the story as it unfolds, but there are also more explicitly architectural elements to this "book" object as well. The piece also creates an implicit invitation to connect and talk with your audience partner afterwards about the piece2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: AMAZING MUSIC + time-based narration + lighting. There's some amazing synchrony between the music, the timing of the reading, as well as the lighting. It really gives a strong sense of time. The reading of the story almost feels like a narrative podcast of sorts, but is mostly a matter of convenience of recording of the live performance so that it could be toured at immersive festivals without the burden of paying for all of the performers and musicians.3rd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Book like object as an architectural artifact, and has a whole spatial journey. The installation also had tables with lighting effects, but also there were projctions that were happening within the space as well. Most of the focus of spatial experience happens within the context of the architectural nature of the "book" object, but the other theatrical elements of the environment definitely help to cultivate an overall mood.4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Explore the story through various interactions. There's no narrative agency per se, although one could deviate from directly reading along with the text. There's an implicit contract to stay on course with your actions since you're negotiating the experience with another person. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Exploration of the "lost and missing queer archives through time; and by the ghosts, both erotic and historical, that visit the older Cavafy in his poems" Artist Statement: "My favorite response to this work was an audience member who described it as 'making love to a stranger through a book'. The work invites audiences into a sensual and concrete encounter with Cavafy's life and poems: fingers making contact with history; illumination revealing images from between the pages; sounds conjuring the ghosts of 19th century Alexandrian cabarets. With words by sister sylvester, score by Nadah El Shazly, and illustrations by Efrîn Özyetis, Constantinopoliad is a multi-sensory encounter with the past, and with forgotten stories that can haunt us into new imaginings for the present." You can see the projects I covered at Venice Immersive 2025 categorized in this image: Below, you will find links to my 30+ hours of my coverage from Venice Immersive 2025 across 39 episodes. I've categorized the experiences according to these "elemental genres," which is looking at the top two elemental centers of gravity. You can listen to this episode or watch the video version of "The Blending the Elements on Experiential Design" YouTube on for more details. #1650: Sneak Peak of Venice Immersive 2025 Selection with Curators Liz Rosenthal and Michel Reilhac #1750: Doug Liman's "Asteroid" Short Immersive Film with Google Gemini Story Extension + Kickoff of Venice Immersive 2025 Coverage #1751: "Ghost Town" Narrative Integration in Puzzle Adventure with Exquisite Worldbuilding #1752: Blending Embodied Game & Narrative Genres with "One True Path, Part 1" #1753: Mixed Reality Town-Building and Sim Game "Wall Town Wonders" #1754: Screen Life Thriller "LILI" about Surveillance Fuses Game Design, Film, and MacBeth Adaptation #1755: Hand-Tracked Sign Language as Story Beat Triggers in "Eddie and I" #1756: Exploring Narrative Potential of Generative AI in "8pm and the Cat" #1757: Embody a Geranium in Immersive Comedy about Boredom in "The Great Escape" #1758: Reckoning with Mental Health Taboos in Japan with "If You See a Cat" Immersive Animation #1759: Mother-Daughter Team Explore Personal Challenges with Depression and Anxiety in "Mirage" Immersive Animation #1760: Immersive Fairy Tale about Automation with "The Sad Story of the Little Mouse Who Wanted to Become Somebody" #1761: Unpacking the Immersive Orchestral Mix of "1968" with Massimiliano Borghesi #1762: Fusing Experimental Immersive Animation with Cutting-Edge Orchestral Spatial Audio Mix in "1968" #1763: Blending Theater and 360 Video in "Re-Launching-Luigi-Broglio" #1764: Mixing Hand-Drawn Animation with 360 Video in "The Time Before" #1765: Immersive Action Thriller "Mulan 2125" Pushes the Edge of Graphical Fidelity #1766: Formula 1 LBE Experience "Black Cats & Chequered Flags" is an Immersive Biopic of Alberto Anscari #1767: Immersive Journey through Special Effects Pioneer Carlo Rambaldi's Paintings in "Alien Perspective" #1768: Symbolic Journey through Lithuania's Artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis' Paintings in "Creation of the World" #1769: Mixed Reality Musical on Avatars and Identity in "First Virtual Suit" #1770: Eastern Philosophy-Inspired Fusion of Theater and XR with "Mnemosyne" #1771: Environmental Storytelling in "The Great Orator" VR Diorama with Generative AI Experiments #1772: Climate Change Spatial Montage "Out of Nowhere" Aspires to Move Towards Rewilding Prevention #1773: "Collective Body" Assigns Elemental Avatars Based Upon Archetypal Dance Movements #1774: Combining Live Dance and Music in Immersive LBE Performance "L'ombre (The Shadow)" #1775: The Continuous Spatial One-Shot of Backlight's "La Magie Opera" LBE #1776: The Spatial Grammar Innovations of Dialectical Contrasts and Abstraction within "The Big Cube" #1777: Active Imagination, Associative Dream Logic, & Embodied Interactions in "Sense of Nowhere" #1778: Collaborative Social Game and Story of "Happy Shadow" #1779: "Heartbeat" Immersive, 1-on-1 Biometric Synchronization and Involuntary Collective Agency #1780: Recap of VRChat Worlds Gallery at Venice Immersive 2025 with Mike Salmon #1781: Winner of Venice Immersive 2025 "The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up" Innovates on Gaussian Splats & Spatial Storytelling #1782: "A Long Goodbye" Wins 3rd Place Prize at Venice Immersive with Emotionally-Moving Story on Dementia and Spatial Grammar Innovations #1783: "Less Than 5gr of Saffron" Wins 2nd Place Prize at Venice Immersive with Spatial Poem Quill Animation #1784: The Incredible Spatial Transitions of "Dark Rooms" with Radical Consent Innovations #1785: The Landmark Achievements of "Blur" in Fusing Theater, Montage, Mixed Reality, and LBE VR #1786: Collective Reading Experience of "Constantinopoliad" Provokes Discussion on Defining "Immersive" #1787: Blending the Elements of Experiential Design & Process-Relational Foundations of the Elements This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Craig Quintero & Phoebe Greenberg about Blur on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Blur: "Blur presents a new myth for the modern age, where science has changed how we think about life and death. With cloning and advances in resurrection biology, we have obscured the boundaries between the living and the dead — the natural and the artificial. This extended reality theatrical production unfolds as a dreamscape, shifting between real and virtual, taking participants on a journey of reflection on grief and eternality." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Some fundamental questions around LIFE [1] and DEATH [8]. Blur born out of a "desire to explore the emotional and ethical terrain where science, loss and imagination collide." Philosophical and ethical implications [9] of the science human cloning [9] as explored through the main story of a mother [4] who's child [5] has died [8]. Explores a speculative and imaginal space of scienced-based possibilities [9] with imagery reflecting these moral and ethical dilemmas [9] around these hybrid entities [Combination of [1] Self with [7] ]. Also the implications of taking extinct animals [8] like the Wooley Mammoth or Dire Wolf, and resurrecting them through science [9], and bringing them back to life [1]. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Blend of Immersive VR, CGI, Cinematic 360 video, 180 video, Mixed Reality. With specific architectural modulations, live performance, and integrations of your embodiment. Some Generative AI around your representations of embodied identity. There's also a LOT of invisible spatial choreography that is happening behind the scenes in order to move a number of human bodies through a physical space without colliding into each other, whilst also creating a seamless virtually-mediate spatial journey that is also A LOT MORE VAST than the constraints of the physical space. So it really feels like being taken on an expansive journey through space and time within this piece.2nd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Constant perversion of expectations and experience of having the "rug pulled out from underneath you." Symbolic Dream Logic, and Theatre of the Absurd. There's a lot of abstract and semiotic associative linking that Quintero describes as a "Rauschenberg-like collage" blending and blurring together lots of various archetypal forms to communicate their message. There's definitely a narrative to be parsed, but you have to sort of piece it together as there's a lot of symbolic communication, as well as expectation-perversion that either creates a deep sense of awe and wonder, or it can also be confusion for some where the overall plausibilty throughline and suspension of disbelief results more in a break in presence from a "I don't get it" experience rather than a deepening of awe from an unbounded possibility space. Overall feels a bit like waking from a dream, and then trying to parse it. There is also a moment of a theatre-for-one encounter, and then later more of a collective experience.3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: LIVE PERFORMANCE of theatrical actors. There's some constructed locomotive agency within bounds to replicate wandering. Some more interactive parts near the end. No real agency to change the flow of the narrative4th Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Cinematic VR, but also a specific cadence and pacing of the narrative. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Blur explores "fundamental questions of identity and selfhood, and what makes 'me' me?" The strurctures of our society and science mashed up against the dissolving and dissolution of the boundaries between the science and humanity bringing questions around the archetypal qualities that make us uniquely human. The idealized image of the human form from evolution, then gets dissolved through hybrid combinations, that is also amplified by the actual blending and blurring of communication media from MR to VR to Invidual and Collective Theatrical Performances to Architecture with bit of magic thrown in. It's a seamless use of the forms of immersive and experiential to amplify the overall themes of the piece. What is Imaginal / Virtual / Synthetic / Artificial / Eternal? vs What is Real and Mortal? Life vs Death in the context of Scientific Truths and Technological Advance. "With cloning and advances in resurrection biology, we have obscured the boundaries between the living and the dead — the natural and the artificial." Artist Statement: "Blur was born from a shared desire to explore the emotional and ethical terrain where science, loss and imagination collide.Meeting in Venice, we recognised a deep alignment in poetic storytelling and a fascination with questions raised by cloning, bioengineering and de-extinction. The work examines the human urge to transcend death and the consequences of reshaping life. Combining immersive theatre, motion capture, passthrough, VR and AR, we invite audiences into a sensorial and surreal journey — where AI, myth and grief intersect. Blur is both a cautionary tale and a meditation on fragile humanity: a boundary-pushing experience that challenges perception while grounded in universal emotions." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFXTon0-tQ0 This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Négar Motevalymeidanshah & Gwenaelle Clauwaert about Less Than 5gr of Saffron on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Less Than 5gr of Saffron: "Golnaz is a young Iranian immigrant trying to adjust to her new life in Germany. One evening, returning from her job (as an assistant at a migrant reception centre in the Berlin suburbs), she is starving, and her refrigerator is empty. She decides to go to the nearest supermarket. The supermarket has just received a new product: saffron. Even though it is very expensive for her, she cannot resist: she buys a packet of saffron. Emotions overwhelm her. She feels the need to cook a home-cooked meal to help her overcome her homesickness. She prepares rice and adds saffron, a comfort food from her past. But she never expected that this moment would plunge her back into the most traumatic events of her life. Most notably, three years ago, she survived a tragic drowning that took her family while traveling illegally by boat." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Exile and being a refugee [12]. Takes place in a new [4] home far from home [9] whose memory of family who died [8] all brought back through the embodied experience of food and saffron [1]. "The project evokes our capacity to identify profoundly with a survivor by placing her in a universally familiar-preparing a meal." Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Quinitessential and paradigmatic example of spatial storytelling taking through a variety of immersive and spatial contexts with seamless transitions and edits. Also switches between 3rd person and 1st person POV2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Like living within a Lucid Dream, very dynamic, poetic. It's cut to music, and so it very much has a music video type pacing and rhythm. Some really elegant spatial transitions, and powerful moments that use metaphors that were just extremely visceral and moving. The piece very much relies upon flashbacks and memories of traumatic moments of escaping authoritarian contexts. So you start off in the mudance context of a kitchen from a first-person POV, but then upon smelling the saffron spice, then it immediately transports you into these violent memories of being an exiled refugee. It's also farily brief, and so short and sweet.3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: No words, Poetic Dream Logic. Meaning is discerned through the poetic interpretations of the juxtaposition of a visual and spatial storytelling lanuage. Very powerfully done.4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: No narrative agency or any embodied Interactions Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Connections to flavors and smells of food to memory. Sadness, harshness, limitations, constraint. Sudden and unexpected trauma -- "she never expected that this moment would plunge her back into the most traumatic events of her life" Artist Statement: "Less than 5 Gr of Saffron tackles a subject we think we've already seen too much of: the often tragic circumstances under which many migrants flee their home countries in search of a better future. A hundred times, stories of shipwrecks and the numbers of those drowned have filled our screens, anonymous people who disappear from our memories with a snap of the fingers. The project evokes our capacity to identify profoundly with a survivor by placing her in a universally familiar-preparing a meal. In today's extremely violent context, this empathetic experience helps to rekindle within us a common humanity, whether we have experienced such trauma firsthand or not." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7VtxTHx_H0 This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Kate Voet & Victor Maes about A Long Goodbye on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for A Long Goodbye: "A Long Goodbye tells the story of Ida, a 72-year-old pianist living with dementia. In this animated, interactive VR experience, we walk in Ida's shoes. We experience a day in her life, as her reality is fading. The apartment, where she spent a lifetime with her beloved husband Daniel, first feels empty and undefined. When we interact with objects and play the tape recordings of her husband, her playful world gradually comes to life, as if drawn in paint before our eyes. Like pieces of a puzzle, memories and conversations help Ida to rediscover herself. But we also discover Daniel's struggles, as he hopes to stay connected and realises their remaining time together may be short. A Long Goodbye is a poetic experience about the impact of dementia, but above all it is about love and the long goodbye of two lovers who shared a life together." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Self and Identity [1], and the loss [8] of memory [1]. All the ways that we capture and record our identity [1]. "Like pieces of a puzzle, memories and conversations help Ida to rediscover herself." Artifacts of shared experiences and memories shared within the spatial context of a home [4], Husband [7] caretaker [7] of the main character with Ida, "72-year-old pianist living with dementia." Music [5], wihch was a part of her career [10], and the various adventures they had together [9] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Narrative-driven, animation with lots of immersive & interactive components. The pacing is gated with interactive actions, and the movement of your body seamlessly blends into various things like change blindness edits. An incredible score with different themes for different characters, and the world starts to change and dissolve as the main protagonists memory also fades giving you a sense of time, and unfolding processes. Victor is also a cinematographer, and so there's lots of canny translations of cinematic grammar into an emerging spatial grammar. VERY EMOTIONALLY IMPACTFUL2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: An incredibly transportative world with a very distinct water coloreque aesthetic. Lots of embodied movement through this piece. Also some mashing up of contexts between these worlds that is reminescent of Meow Wolf. There's quite a lot of void space to help direct attention, but also makes excellent use of available space. There's physical movements paired with virtual locomotion. And the physical installation with post-it notes also helped created a strong magic cirlce for the piece. You are also embodied as Ida - as you learn about yourself as she has to do each and every day. From their artist statement, Kate and Victor said, "When we put the VR headset on, the first questions that come to mind are: Who am I? And where am I? This confusion is exactly what our protagonist is dealing with and this became the starting point of the story."3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Interactions that gate the narrative in order to help modulate the pacing of the story. Free to physically move within space, but also paired with virtual locomotion. They aspired to allow people to be able to wander through the story and you get a bit lost along the way. So TRUE!4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Dialogue amongst the characters, and also tape recording. Nice blend of metaphoric memory and dream logic with an amazingly well-written script. But also a puzzle-like structure as you piece together the story. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Memory. Loss, Grief, Death. The slow dissolving of the structures of memory as reflected within the sparse void-like architecture of the piece itself reflecting this slipping away into liminality. The love that they share within their partnership. "a poetic experience about the impact of dementia, but above all it is about love and the long goodbye of two lovers who shared a life together." So talking about the details of the condition, but also the caretaker / partner who is living with this condition "A Long Goodbye is at once a personal and a universal story about human connection. It serves as a reminder that people are always so much more than their illness. Instead of focusing on what is lost, we need to stay close and hold on to shared affection." Artist Statement: "When we put the VR headset on, the first questions that come to mind are: Who am I? And where am I? This confusion is exactly what our protagonist is dealing with and this became the starting point of the story. We were drawn to this theme because of Victor's grandfather who lived with Alzheimer's disease, and whose health declined rapidly after Victor's grandmother passed. The experience of having witnessed this emotional transformation close by, made us explore how dementia is experienced and how it influences the relationship with your past, with yourself and with your loved ones. A Long Goodbye is at once a personal and a universal story about human connection. It serves as a reminder that people are always so much more than their illness. Instead of focusing on what is lost, we need to stay close and hold on to shared affection." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-kttoua1PA This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Singing Chen about The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up: "After the sudden death of his wife, Guan discovers her unfinished novel — a tale intertwining the endangered clouded leopard and the Rukai tribe's sacred origin myth, which tells of their descent from the elusive animal. Grief-stricken and seeking connection, he sets out on a surreal journey into dreamlike scenes — a maze of the subconscious, mistshrouded forests, ancient tree hollows and symbolic inner landscapes. Adapted from a short story by acclaimed Taiwanese author Wu Ming-Yi, The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up is a single-user, free-roaming VR experience that blends literature and memory into an intimate exploration of love, loss and self-reflection." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Exploration of indigenous myths [9] as the protagonist goes on an epic journey into these imaginal (or real) realms [9]. It's a husband whose's wife [7] has died [8], and he's picking up clues from her work [10] as a writer as he explore her office [10], gets lost within a maze [12], and then he embarks on this adventure [9] deep into nature and the forest [4] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Blends a number of different spatial capture techniques from traditional CGI modeling to Gaussian Splats. Very high resolution spatial capture. Lots of theme park type of feel whilst exporing the maze portion, and recreated a spatial journey where you feld like you had some wandering agency. But it was all still very contained and constrained, but felt like a bit of using your body movemnt to edit and pace through the piece. You're mostly an invisible ghost without any embodiment, although there are some scenes where you have agency to move around, but there's other scenes where you're more of an invisible audience. Some incredible technical breakthroughs to fuse it all together.2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Very narrative and story-driven overall, with a lot of influences from the cinematic tradition, especially during the first half. There's some cinematic cut scenes inspired from film. Some spatial embodied movement of spatial storytelling, The last half involves more of theatrically staged dialogue, where the overall spatial context stays static, and so the experience of time is more like being at a thearical play. Having volumetrically captured actors actually makes a huge difference in communicating the subtleness of emotionality via their facial expressions that is much harder than how emotions are captured on film. This piece stands in the volumetric capture techniques, fused with traditional CGI as well as with Gaussian Splats.3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Based upon a book, and so it has quite a literary feel, but also some scenes with extended dialogue. Overall, it's a bit of a mystery as the husband investigates the research archives of his wife, who was digging into an indigenous myth, and he comes to find out that it is completely TRUE. So there's lots of elements of magical realism, but also poetic dreamlogic and spatial storytelling. The maze scene has some post-it notes that deliver voice over. It's a single-player experience, but you share spatial contexts with some volumetrically-captured performances.4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: No real narrative agency, but there's a chance to explore a room of objects, but also the maze scene gives the experience of a lot of agency as you can chose how you move through and at what pace. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Grief from a death and loss, and going on a spiritual adventure, to find connection. From the description about the book author that inspired the piece, they say, "he weaves dreams, memory and multiple dimensions of time and space has long inspired me." Turning inward to explore spatial contexts that symbolically represent an inner journey of discovery. "Grief-stricken and seeking connection, he sets out on a surreal journey into dreamlike scenes — a maze of the subconscious, mist-shrouded forests, ancient tree hollows and symbolic inner landscapes" Artist Statement: "Wu Ming-Yi is one of Taiwan's most influential contemporary novelists. The way he weaves dreams, memory and multiple dimensions of time and space has long inspired me. When the chance came to adapt The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up into VR, I knew it would be a daunting yet necessary journey. Wu's writing evokes vivid imagery, spatiality and bodily presence — qualities that resonate with VR's immersive nature. Through free-roaming exploration, I aimed to recreate a journey of loss, memory and Indigenous mythology. This project is a dialogue between literature, technology and emotion — one that seeks to spark empathy across cultures." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEUki2mN-ps This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Hsin-hsuan Yeh about Sense of Nowhere on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Sense of Nowhere: "Where do we go when we zone out, and how do we find our way back to reality? Sense of Nowhere is a journey from no-where to now-here, inspired by The Way from Taoism, the Illusion from Buddhism, and Jung's practice of Active Imagination. Blurring the line between inner world and outer reality, it transforms sonic, fragmented thoughts into a tangible experience. It is an invitation for the audience to explore the subconscious, piece together hidden clues, and find their way returning to the present moment." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: [9] - Dreams and unconscious [9], and the philosohpically-rich surreallity [9], and active imagination [9] as well as invocations of various associative links and memories [1]. Focuses a lot on these embodied interations [1] and dream-like absurd surreality [9] as a primary catalyst to pervert our expectations. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Jungian Active Imagination, Associative Dream Logic, Chaos, Plausibility, Philosophically driven. I gained a lot of context from this interview about the meaning of the patterns, as well as how it is structured from exploring the Particles, Materials, Subconsciousness, Reality, Illusion. So it's the type of piece that can be fairly sparse and abstract, but worth unpacking the emerging spatial grammar and symbolic semotic explorations. There's also a bit of absurdist and surreal tone to this piece that is aspiring to transcend your expectations to enter into a unique possibilty space of exploration.2nd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Lots of embodied and interactive loops throughout this experience. These interactions were very much designed to take the audience into an introspective journey. Director was initially resistant to talk about the piece at all as her preference would be for people to have their own immersive and interactive experience of it, but I managed to navigate the conversation using my own experiences as a proxy to dig more deeply into the design intentions.3rd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Music. Lots of iterative loops that are designed to be exploratory processes, which are then juxtaposed to each other throughout the piece creating a bit of interactive montage feel, but not a lot of explicit narrative threads to hang upon.4th Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Lots of experimental embodied actions integrated into this story, but also very surreal and liminal imagary. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Very much a non-Boolean and non-dual approach with an embodied and associative link explorations. Artist Statement: "Sense of Nowhere begins with a drifting, zoning out, as the world fades into a blur of sound and sensation. Where does the mind wander when it slips from the present? Through sonic textures and visual cues, the work guides a slow return to awareness, driving thoughts from the edges of the subconscious. Ideas flicker in and out, like palms slowly opening and closing, present, then gone. There is no fixed narrative, only fragments that invite personal interpretation. Each viewer notices certain things, remember different feelings. In this difference lies the quiet beauty of thought itself: the way we make sense of the world mirrors how we come to understand ourselves." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDajMkKRjXo This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Menghui Huang about The Big Cube on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Big Cube: "A world is made of cubes. The creatures there always follow instructions and push cubes numbly. Yet, when one of them chooses not to follow the instructions, after discovering another path, something unexpected happens." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Tensions between the Sense of Self [1] in the context of the Other [7], and specifically the Cultural pressures to conform [11] with the desire to express personal creativity [5]. Takes inspiration from the repetitions of straight lines and rectanges of Chinese Architecture [4], and then creates more of an organic and flowing perspective as shown by a professional artist [5H in the context of 10]. A lot of dialectical oppositions contextually and thematically. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Abstracting shapes to build the world. The Big Cube is an artistic VR experience that explores the abstraction of reality through minimal forms and immersive space. -- The use of abstract shapes to communicate a lot. No words used at all, and so the contrasts between the embodied and spatial metaphors as used in a highly symbolic dream logic to tell this story. It has to be pieced together a bit, but the contrasts between controlled structure and unconstrained freedom and chaos come through loud and clear. "That's the true beauty of abstraction, it leaves space for everyone"2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Animated immersive film, and a paradigmatic example of pur spatial storytelling analagous to visual storytelling, but using the modulation of spatial architecture rather than the justaposition of 2D images in film. There was no script to follow, but mainly evolved out of the iterative and juxtapositions of spatial forms relative to each other3rd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Very much driven by the music to amplify the thematic contrasts from constriction to expansion, and serves the timekeeper of the piece giving it an overall rhythm and pacing.4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: No narrative agency or any embodied Interactions Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: The tension between Order / Structure / Control and Chaos / Unboundedness / Freedom. Definitely inspired by the collective pressures to conform within China versus the creative freedom and expression that comes from travelling to other cultures to find an authentic artistic voice. This is a very dialectical piece that is a case study in spatial contrasts to communicate oppositions within contextual domains, themes, and expressions of archetypal character. Artist Statement: "Simple, yet powerful. Abstracting shapes to build the world. The Big Cube is an artistic VR experience that explores the abstraction of reality through minimal forms and immersive space. Anchored in the idea that simplicity can carry profound meaning, the project reduces the complexity of the world into fundamental shapes. These visual elements, stripped of detail yet rich in implication, invite viewers into a contemplative space. Through virtual reality, the experience deepens, allowing for a layered reflection that extends beyond the visual. The project encourages audiences to feel and interpret the experience in their own way." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdVmImU9G3A This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Sarah Silverblatt-Buser about Collective Body on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Collective Body: "Collective Body is an interactive, virtual reality experience that invites us to meet ourselves and each other through movement. Set in the middle of a New Mexican storm, participants are guided to rediscover their first ways of engaging with the world, symbolising formative life events that culminate in a shared exploration of our embodied selves. These key moments — beginning alone, discovering the unfamiliar, first encounters, and joyfully moving together — represent how our personal and collective stories are written through movement." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Gain deeper insight into self and Identity [1] and others [7] through embodied movement [1] and dance [5], but also these various archetypal [9] identities [1] within the context of a cultural context [11] - lots of self [1] and other [7] dialectics. "Meet ourselves and each other through movement." Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Embodied Dance experiences, with avatars that are attuned to how your move your body. Set in a New Mexican storm. Avatars have an abstract and symbolic quality to them. Designed to "open us to different sensations of our physical world while creating a new perception of ourselves as individuals within a collective."2nd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Emphasis on MOVEMENT and IMPROV -- The specific way in which you move your is analyzed and classified3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Multiplayer and social experience. There's a way to connect to others through movement. The archeteypal classification of the movement is split up into a 4x4 set of categories of 4 different elements (earth, air, water, fire), and then 4 different musical themes that also mirror an increasing amount of energy of the phases of matter. (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma)4th Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Strong Emphasis on MUSIC. The Piece itself is a bit more driven by embodied actions and emergenct social dynamics than narrative or story per se. The piece is more about the relational dynamics to yourself and others that unfolds over the course of five different stages 1. BEGINNING ALONE: Discover our world through our hands 2. DISCOVER OUR FIRST MOVEMENTS: Learn how to take our first steps 3. FIRST ENCOUNTERS: How we learn how to move with other people. 4. FIND YOUR AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT: How we learn to reflect and find our own kind of movement. 5. JOYFULLY MOVE TOGETHER: How we dance and join together with other people Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Movement and Social Dynamics - Invidivual versus Collective Journey: "Collective Body asks what it means to experience ourselves in relation to others — without words and beneath the surface. How does a body hold histories over time? How do those histories get expressed and interpreted? How do many bodies create their own ecology?" Artist Statement: "The experience uses virtual reality to open us to different sensations of our physical world while creating a new perception of ourselves as individuals within a collective. We are first guided to reappropriate movement and dancing in our own body, to rediscover our first ways of engaging with the world, before we meet the silent part of ourselves that we express through movement. This otherwise ephemeral self is generated using an algorithmic system that analyses our movement throughout the first two scenes. This self takes the form of an avatar, assigned out of sixteen possible avatars, and is represented as a natural element accompanied by a musical theme. Once we meet this version of ourselves, we are invited to meet another person, then join the rest of the participants, encountering different ways that others exist through movement, mixing together to create a final moment of joyful, collective discovery in dance. Collective Body asks what it means to experience ourselves in relation to others — without words and beneath the surface. How does a body hold histories over time? How do those histories get expressed and interpreted? How do many bodies create their own ecology?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1uOAEL7Do8 This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Wuer about Mnemosyne on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Mnemosyne: "Mnemosyne is an innovative immersive work that blends VR film and live theatre, offering a multi- sensory experience and a poetic exploration of love, illusion, and awakening. Inspired by Tang Xianzu's Ming Dynasty classic The Peony Pavilion, the piece draws on Eastern philosophy to evoke the notion of “ultimate 情 (Qing/emotion)”. It combines 360° animation, 180° live-action footage, and live performance, with the surrounding environment, shaping each audience member's evolving sense of presence. The layered narrative unfolds like ink in water: fluid, evocative, and open to interpretation, inviting the audience to drift between constructed memories and imagined futures. Mnemosyne seeks to create a meditative landscape of shifting emotions, centring on the intimate experience of transcending illusion to uncover genuine feeling. It views this hybrid medium of merging physical and virtual presence as a potential stage for exploring the social dimensions and future possibilities of VR/XR." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Connecting to the earth and nature [4], but also Eastern Religiion from Daoist and Buddhist thought [9]. Focusing on and reflecting upon your own embodied experiences [1] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Most of the experience is CGI-based VR Animation and Cinematic VR, but there's is an immersive theatrical installation of something like a Tea Room, with meditation booths, which have a number of spatial modulations over the course of the performance. There's also an actor at the end with Mixed Reality Components. So it's a real blending of the spatial contexts.2nd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Lots of Taoist and Zen influences, and some quoted poetry and passages, but the density of the philosohical thought create a bit of like Zen Koan type of experience, where there were lots of deeper philosophical mysteries being explored. Very poetic, if not a bit mysterious -- and even the cretor was a bit vexed to communicate what the experience would be. You have to experience it to fully understand.3rd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Spatiousness from the cinematic montage of different scenes and poetic reflections. Jumping between the pre-recorded aspects (Chronos) and the live performative elements (Kairos) of the momen.4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: LIVE performance elements. But also no real narrative or spatial agency. Aiming to sort create a contemplative poetic experience. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Lots of Truth vs Illusion themes. "poetic exploration of love, illusion, and awakening." Also, "it offers a sensory framework where gazes, pauses, and subtle gestures shape the unfolding rhythm. Within a layered dreamscape of animation, live-action, and performance, the audience becomes not just an observer but a co-creator of emotional experience. Drawing from the Daoist idea of “breaking illusion to perceive truth”, the work uses VR as a poetic medium — an ephemeral vessel to navigate between illusion and reality, dream and awakening — until the line between the two gently dissolves." Artist Statement: "Mnemosyne is an immersive narrative experiment focused on “empowering the audience's imagination”. Rather than presenting a closed storyline, it offers a sensory framework where gazes, pauses, and subtle gestures shape the unfolding rhythm. Within a layered dreamscape of animation, live-action, and performance, the audience becomes not just an observer but a co- creator of emotional experience. Drawing from the Daoist idea of “breaking illusion to perceive truth”, the work uses VR as a poetic medium — an ephemeral vessel to navigate between illusion and reality, dream and awakening — until the line between the two gently dissolves." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEAyABepKFM This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Kristina Buožytė & Vitalijus Žukas about Creation of the World on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Creation of the World: "Creation of the Worlds is a VR experience inspired by the visionary art and music of Lithuania's most renowned artist, Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis. This poetic VR odyssey is both a meditation on creation and a metaphor for the human journey toward inner maturity. Created by Kristina Buožytė and Vitalijus Žukas, the experience blends immersive storytelling with interactive elements, inviting viewers into a dreamlike world. With the freedom to navigate and soar through evolving environments, the viewer gradually discovers they are not merely an observer — but the creator and caretaker of timeless worlds. Inspired by over sixty of Čiurlionis's paintings, the experience blends visual art with a contemporary reimagining of Čiurlionis's music by Phil Von and Rokas Zubovas." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: [9] Surreal art [5] inspired by religious themes [9] and creation stories with a bit of a pagan edge. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Spatial journey of the Lithuanian artist Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Musical score. "Immersive Cinema"3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Very subtle gaze detected navigation mechanic. Mostly on rails, but there's quite a lot of variation.4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: No words or narration. You're left to discern the meaning of the symbolism on your own. Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Explorations of the blending of different modes of artistic expression with the transcendent realms of mythology, religion, and symbolism. "Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis — painter, composer and visionary... His worldview and artistic depth reflect a Renaissance-like spirit, blending music, visual art and philosophy into unique and timeless universes." Also explorations how this transcendent is ingressed into physical reality, and the relationship between the two. The piece is also described as "an immersive VR fairy tale exploring the connection between the material and spiritual realms. A subtle, symbol- and metaphor-rich journey through human maturity and the awakening of creative power, told in the timeless language of myth. It is an ode to creation — divine, natural and human" Artist Statement: "Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis — painter, composer and visionary — is one of Lithuania's most important cultural figures and a unique voice in global art history. His worldview and artistic depth reflect a Renaissance-like spirit, blending music, visual art and philosophy into unique and timeless universes. Creation of the Worlds is our homage to his legacy — an immersive VR fairy tale exploring the connection between the material and spiritual realms. A subtle, symbol- and metaphor-rich journey through human maturity and the awakening of creative power, told in the timeless language of myth. It is an ode to creation — divine, natural and human — inspired by Čiurlionis's art and music." This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Jung Ah Suh & Cristina Rambaldi about Alien Perspective on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Alien Perspective: "Carlo Rambaldi was a visionary architect of the unimaginable. Through his groundbreaking work on E.T., Alien, and Dune, he expanded the boundaries of cinematic reality — conjuring lifeforms and worlds that defied perception and reshaped the imagination. As we mark 100 years since the birth of Carlo Rambaldi, Alien Perspective resurrects his legacy in a bold new form: a sensory portal into the unknown. At its heart lies Città Spaziale 2 — a never-before-experienced masterpiece where painting becomes a living arena of exploration. Rambaldi's vision invites us not only to remember but to take part. In the hands of a new generation, the impossible becomes undeniable." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Dreamlike and surreal journeys into other imaginal realms [9] by artist Carlo Rambaldi [5] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Spatial journey through the art of Carlo Rambaldi. Starts off with some Mixed Reality with a painting in a gallery-like space, then moves into VR. "A sensory portal into the unknown." And "painting becomes a living arena of exploration." Moving "from passive observation into embodied experience."2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Musical score. Leaning on "Immersive Cinema" genre3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Mostly fixed way-point exploration through the space, with some variations and choices that eventually converge. "inviting audiences to step inside his imagination and engage with his art as a dynamic, navigable universe." Aspire to bring "legacy artworks into interactive spaces where millions of users can explore, play, and participate." While some freedom to explore, it's still mostly on rails and most folks will see the same experience. Not any true branching4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Many aspects of Rambaldi's IMAGINATION. A bit of associative dream logic when it comes to the underlying narrative. "This project is a call to democratise access to imagination" Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Realms of speculative imagination that is boundless and unknown, and it's interface with Reality and potentially beyond. "the impossible becomes undeniable." Aspires to transform art by "shifting it from passive observation into embodied experience." Leaning into imaginiing the future of art: "By merging visual art, narrative design, and real-time interaction, we are forging new pathways between cultural heritage and future-facing media" Artist Statement: "With Alien Perspective, my aim is to transform how we encounter art — shifting it from passive observation into embodied experience. In close collaboration with the Carlo Rambaldi Foundation, we reimagined Rambaldi's visionary works as immersive cinema, inviting audiences to step inside his imagination and engage with his art as a dynamic, navigable universe. This project is a call to democratise access to imagination. In a world where museums and galleries can be exclusionary, immersive technology allows us to break those boundaries — bringing legacy artworks into interactive spaces where millions of users can explore, play, and participate. By merging visual art, narrative design, and real-time interaction, we are forging new pathways between cultural heritage and future-facing media. At its core, Alien Perspective is more than a tribute. It is an argument for the future of art: one that is active, inclusive, and infinite in reach." This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Mo Huang & Eric Zhao about Mulan2125 on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Mulan2125: "In 2125, a century after the green-comet “Emerald Fall,” the alien substance Muk still taints Earth. Two powers remain: Ant City and PAC, a militarised regime ruling from the sea fortress, the Crown. Ant City's flagship, the ARK — a retrofitted WWII battleship — carries a giant repair mecha meant to restore the city's shield. PAC plans to hijack the ship, impersonate its crew, and deliver the mecha embedded with malware to disable the shield from within. 18-year-old Mulan, raised aboard the ARK by her father, Captain Hua Muzhi, is unknowingly the only human fully bonded with Muk. Anticipating sabotage, Hua hides in a panic room and locks the engines. As long as he remains hidden, PAC cannot proceed. When the assault begins, AI drone MUV-I is activated and executes Hua's secret Shan Hai Guan protocol, guiding Mulan through hidden corridors. But her search for Hua accidentally helps PAC mole Aiden trace his location. Aiden detonates charges, separating them, and PAC regains control. Hua reaches the bridge to destroy the mecha but is killed. Mulan awakens Muk's power, defeats Khan, and fires the main gun — vaporising the Trojan mecha. Muk glows again as PAC retrieves her body. She lives." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: On some sort of military [10] ship at the sea [9], but also set in the future in a speculative sci-fi world [9]. Dynamics of father [4] and his daughter [5] and the various people who are trying to capture or kill her [7]. A pitched battle between these two main opposiing forces [7] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Described as "Cinema 2.0" & "pioneering the future of storytelling." Episodic cinematic immersive story experience with "ultra-high audiovisual standards and interactive design." First episode. Sci-Fi, Action Thriller Genre -- Attack forces 18-year old Mulan into an escape that was prepared by her father"2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Crafted for Immersion - Sci-Fi futuristic universe set in 2125. A comet shattered the world and two powers are fighting each other. Mostly a ghostly character throughout, but you do have an embodiment at certain points. Unclear as to who you are. Are you a main character? I forget, Real-time Unreal Engine with mocapped actors3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Some light interactions at various points in this storyworld -- They say, "As traditional film nears the limits of its century-old form, we aim to chart a new path — where stories aren't just watched, but lived." Still mostly a cinematic universe as it is more about light interactions that are within a very tightly bound possibility space of the film. More about the story than your agency4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: A lot of dialogue within the context of a story. Possibility space very much leans towards authored narrative, as there doesn't seem to be very many different choices involved Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: '"It's all about who are you when everything is falling apart, and the invisible bonds that keep us together" Artist Statement: "MULAN 2125 is a bold step toward Cinema 2.0 — a genre-driven, emotionally resonant narrative built for immersive media. Unlike many XR projects that feel experimental, niche, or underpowered, it combines cinematic storytelling with ultra-high audiovisual standards and interactive design. This is not a tech demo in disguise, but a sincere attempt to bring the emotional depth and visual polish of commercial cinema into the XR space. As traditional film nears the limits of its century-old form, we aim to chart a new path — where stories aren't just watched, but lived." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8z1hFV8Pag This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Leo Metcalf & Michael Golembewski about The Time Before on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Time Before: "Trapped between waking life and dreams, Olly delves into his childhood memories, navigating the fantastical dreamscapes his sister created to shield them from a fractured home. A journey into the buried past that shapes who we are. His story unfolds across two realms: raw, hand-drawn memories captured in childhood sketches, and surreal underwater live-action dreamscapes. As memory and imagination blur, The Time Before explores the emotional weight of a volatile father, a mother lost in the fog of memory, and a sister who offered escape through imagination and dreams. A meditation on the stories we tell ourselves to survive, and what is lost in the telling." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Combination of personal memories [1] as well fantastical dreamscapes [9] created with the help of his sibling / sister [3] in order to preserve identity and Self [1] in the context of a dissolving and traumatic family and home [4]. The neighborhood with nature [3]. Implicit themes of death [8], and the existential suffering from loss & grief [12] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Narrative-driven, immersive animation that represent memories and juxtaposed with 360 videos that represent dreams. The collision of the past with the future. The struggle to try to feel FEELINGS. Emotional Stuntedness. [MEMORY] [DREAMS]2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Mash-up of the virtual and the real, combining cinematic 360 video with hand-drawn animations. Also the spatial ambisonic audio mixed with more traditional stereo. Explores the lines between dreams, memories, and the combination of the two. Also created multi-layered montages of 360 video underwater shots to create a surreal, dreamlike texture3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: A few embodied interactions that reflect turning points in the narrative4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Either Dialogue or narration. The speculative realm of dreams and imagination are core themes. [IMAGINATION] The normal RULES of reality have changed within dreams Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: This is a piece about escape, distortion, and the quiet cost of staying silent. Also, about MEMORY, IMAGINATION, and DREAMS. Dreams and Fantasy: "Olly delves into his childhood memories, navigating the fantastical dreamscapes his sister created to shield them from a fractured home." Ultimately trying to have a cathartic emotional expression. Battling all the ways in which we were shut down, locked up, or dealing with unexamined childhood traumas. "the difficulty many children, especially boys, carry into adulthood when taught to suppress emotion." Themes: "The Time Before explores the emotional weight of a volatile father, a mother lost in the fog of memory, and a sister who offered escape through imagination and dreams." A reckoning with the past and memories : "consider the fragility of their own memory" Artist Statement: "Much of who we are is shaped by childhood memories we can't fully recall, let alone understand — yet their emotional ripples run deep. The Time Before explores this terrain through the eyes of Olly, a boy retreating into shifting inner landscapes shaped by memory, imagination, and loss. The piece invites not just observation but emotional and physical participation. In the darkness of the headset, I hope participants will consider the fragility of their own memory — and the difficulty many children, especially boys, carry into adulthood when taught to suppress emotion. This is a piece about escape, distortion, and the quiet cost of staying silent." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oahwg3hyE0 This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Vincenzo Cavallo about Re-Launching-Luigi-Broglio on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Re-Launching-Luigi-Broglio: "This project gives the chance to dive into the legend of Luigi Broglio [11 November 1911 – 14 January 2001]— who audaciously catapulted Italy into the cosmos from the first space base built on an equatorial sea platform in the 1960s. Within a 360° theatre, audiences become voyeurs to a duel between Broglio and journalist Tristano Malaugurio, two prisoners of fading memory trapped in the ghostly command centre of Kenya's San Marco space station. Through interviews and flashbacks, we plunge into the African expedition, the explosive encounter with oil giant Enrico Mattei, a near-diplomatic crisis with President Nasser, and a jaw-dropping climax to rewrite history. A group of Italian mavericks daring to compete with the space superpowers. This saga proves that the most impossible dreams ignite into reality when courage meets creativity and determination. Luigi Broglio inspires minds and warms hearts, which is why he deserves to be re-launched!" Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Space exploration [9] and foreign African countries relative to main character's home of Italy [4], the various conflicts with various institutional entities [7] including the impact of capitalism and colonialism [2], his careeer and profession [10], His home of Italy [4] juxtaposing between these two worlds in the piece [9]. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Cinematic 360 video, and story of Luigi Broglio (1911-2001) Imaginal time with journalist while Broglio was still alive with flashbacks. Half of the world is present day, and turning around to the stage is the past.2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Theatrical staging, uses two 180-degree shots stitched together to travel between spaces. The environments are imagined as if it waa a play. One side is the present moment of the story, with the other side being the past. Spatial representation of time3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: As a viewer of 360 video, you do end up having to physically move your body to watch the video as the main fccus of action will split between these two sides, but these interactions are not impacting the story in any sense, and end up being more of an artifact of the 360 medium itself4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Most of the experience is dialogues and monologues. Characters speaking to each other. A confrontational journalist who is asking the questions and prompting the story to progress Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Power dynamics of the structures of captialism & colonialism- "the explosive encounter with oil giant Enrico Mattei, a near-diplomatic crisis with President Nasser" + "time to rediscover Italian colonial and postcolonial history through fresh eyes." "This saga proves that the most impossible dreams ignite into reality when courage meets creativity and determination." Memory, the past, history, colonialism: "two prisoners of fading memory trapped in the ghostly command centre of Kenya's San Marco space station" Artist Statement: "As Italians who are living in Kenya we relentlessly hunt for untold stories woven between Africa and Europe. Italians who ended up in Africa during and after colonialism, Africans and Afro-Italians who helped forge Italy, before, during and after World War II — a vast cultural heritage overlooked for various reasons. It's time to rediscover Italian colonial and postcolonial history through fresh eyes. We believe this immersive experience — designed for science museums and educational venues — will unlock new perspectives on both science and international cooperation." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo-L88oT7Y0 This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Nicolas Bourniquel about The Sad Story of the Little Mouse Who Wanted to Become Somebody on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Sad Story of the Little Mouse Who Wanted to Become Somebody: "Once upon a time, there was a little mouse who worked relentlessly to achieve a single goal: becoming somebody. Driven solely by her ambition, she slowly grew mean and arrogant, pushing everyone away. One day, she accepted a job offer from the most prolific toymaker in the world: Santa Claus. The little mouse was about to discover that climbing the corporate ladder was not all she had hoped it would be… La triste histoire de la petite souris qui voulait absolument devenir quelqu'un is a biting satire of corporate life in the form of a VR Christmas tale." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: From humble creative workshop [5] at home [4] to express her identity [1] through social media [3], but then becomes completely invisible [12]. Then a transition into the other worldly character of Santa's workshop [9], which becomes a professional workplace that is highly industrialized and automated [10] turning the creative work into a slog of manual tasks devoid of too much creativity or autonomy [6] work that translates into a bit of a situation of slavery [12] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Narrative-driven, immersive animation. This very much a character-driven story2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Very detailed world that you enter into. From Paris streets to the speculative workshop of Santa updated with all of the latest gifts of automation3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Dialogue amongst the characters - English and no subtitles.. is there any narration?4th Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: No narrative agency or any embodied Interactions Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Radical and Free, Bepoke and Handcrafted Creativity with unbounded creative imagination in tension with Automated Utility & a bit of structured authoritarianism. Certainly a modern day fairy tale that speaks about the dynamics of AI and automation. "The little mouse was about to discover that climbing the corporate ladder was not all she had hoped it would be..." -- "how difficult it is for artists to find their place in a hyper-competitive, automated world. On one side, there's the struggle to exist and be seen when you're as “small” as the little mouse and still need to earn a living. On the other, there's the challenge of preserving craft and creativity in a world where machines increasingly threaten to replace creators altogether." Artist Statement: "With La triste histoire de la petite souris qui voulait absolument devenir quelqu'un, we aim to explore how difficult it is for artists to find their place in a hyper-competitive, automated world. On one side, there's the struggle to exist and be seen when you're as “small” as the little mouse and still need to earn a living. On the other, there's the challenge of preserving craft and creativity in a world where machines increasingly threaten to replace creators altogether." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C83cO-zapE This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Naima Karim & Aleena Hanif about Mirage on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for Mirage: "Mirage is an interactive Virtual Reality experience of a young girl who is battling depression and anxiety. Set in a desert landscape, it is a metaphorical and stylised adaptation with visuals created by the artist Naima Karim and her lived experience with her daughter's depression and anxiety. The audience embarks on an immersive journey through the young girl's mind, using hand-tracking interactivity, spatial sound design, original music, and a haptic vest. With hand-tracking interaction, they will be encouraged to support her through her challenges. However, accepting struggles and accepting help from others is not easy for a person suffering from depression and anxiety. Mirage sheds light on the often-misunderstood realities of depression and anxiety, inspiring empathy and understanding." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Mental Health and Depression and anxiety [6], [4] Family, specifically within the context of a parent [4] and their child [5] and her sibling [3], accepting help from others [7] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Narrative-driven, immersive animation in VR, but the center of gravity as a cinematic experience2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Spatial Quill Animations, but also quite a lot of Haptic Integrations ( to mimic aspects of chest pain and panic). There are moments where you embody and interact as a parental figure, but also many times you're a ghostly observer3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Some light, hand-tracked interactions spread throughout that serve to gate key moments in the story.4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Dialogue amongst the characters, is there narration from one of the character as well? I don't remember Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Depression, Anxiety: "accepting struggles and accepting help from others is not easy for a person suffering from depression and anxiety. Mirage sheds light on the often-misunderstood realities of depression and anxiety, inspiring empathy and understanding." And to "bring awareness to the experiences of someone with depression and anxiety." Artist Statement: "For many children with depression and anxiety, happiness can feel unattainable and just out of reach, like a Mirage. Mirage is based on our personal experience. It was challenging to create because of how vulnerable we had to be to develop an honest experience. We wanted to leave room for audiences to connect in their own way, but still speak to common experiences they might find through our story. The essential purpose of Mirage is for us to share our story and bring awareness to the experiences of someone with depression and anxiety. Through Mirage, we hope to spark conversation and encourage people to empathise and support those with depression and anxiety." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9unNsHKGEc This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Joren Vandenbroucke about The Great Escape on Monday, September 1, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for The Great Escape: "In The Great Escape, the viewer arrives as the third of three geranium flowers stuck on the windowsill in the bare living room of Patrick, a lonely 38-year-old man. The geraniums are bored to death and constantly frustrated – with themselves, the windowsill, and Patrick. They long to see the world, but are literally rooted in place. Patrick, meanwhile, walks freely but never leaves the house, trapped in his own lonely routine. Every day starts the same: watering the plants, making coffee, feeding his goldfish, activating his roomba, collecting junk mail, then daydreaming by the window. The monotony gets shaken up when Patrick buys a smartphone to connect with the outside world. The geraniums secretly steal it and post a selfie in a plant swap group, where a woman named Sonja spots it. She convinces Patrick to swap the geraniums for her snake plant. The geraniums are thrilled as they venture outside with Patrick, until a chat with a dying bouquet of roses reveals the outside world isn't so kind to plants. The ensuing existential crisis leads the plants to their near demise and ultimately to a new home with a rather familiar setting." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Home [4], then using communications technologies with a cell phone and social media [3] to connect to someone else in the neighborhood [3]. Then going on a massive adventure. [9] For a human, it's a short-distance travel [3], but for this geranium, it may feel like a completely exotic long-distance journey [9] relative to how often plants move around. "They long to see the world, but are literally rooted in place." Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Very FUNNY! Narrative-driven, immersive animation. Surreal comedy genre.2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: You embody a geranium who uses a phone to put themselves on an Online Marketplace and escape into another human owner. From one home to another via public tranportation. The rest of the world is mundane living rooms, a subway trip, and then getting to be outside facing the busy city street3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Dialogue. Single-player experience. But you have some virtual co-presence with other geraniums, as you are embodied as a geranium4th Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: I can't recall if there were any explicit interactions other than being embodied as a geranium. If there were, then they just gated the narrative. May have been some phone interactions. Hard to remember Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Tension between Boredom of Reality and the same daily routine and Grand Adventure and Excitement. "The geraniums are bored to death and constantly frustrated." Some pretty brave and courageous acts to go on this adventure. Also fears around potential death associated with this adventure. "The geraniums are thrilled as they venture outside with Patrick, until a chat with a dying bouquet of roses reveals the outside world isn't so kind to plants." After the brush with death, then they enter their new home and a new but similar daily routine begins. "The ensuing existential crisis leads the plants to their near demise and ultimately to a new home with a rather familiar setting." Artist Statement: "At the core The Great Escape is about the boredom that comes with comfort. In this story a pair of houseplants are longing for a “great escape” from their daily dull routine, even though nothing is particularly wrong with this daily flow. On one hand the contradicting wishes and desires of the geraniums might seem amusing, but on the other hand they are relatable as well to people who harbour similar escapist dreams or experience certain inexplicable feelings of ennui. Fleeing a golden cage takes courage and learning to let go sometimes, as Patrick experiences in this story. Even then a safe return is not always guaranteed, like the geraniums find out. Still, there is beauty to be found in the ordinary aspects of life and the flow of daily existence." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH5bGRsqn4k This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Director Minhyuk Che & Producer Sngmoo Lee about 8pm and the Cat on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for 8pm and the Cat: "Cartoonist Haru loses his partner, Mina, in the Itaewon tragedy. Since then, 8 pm — the hour she used to come home — keeps repeating: an ordinary moment in daily life now shadowed by her absence. Within that single hour, different emotional rooms unfold. Images and monologues are generated in real time, shaping singular emotional moments. This generative VR experience invites the audience into Haru's ongoing process of mourning — through the act of constantly drawing and speaking about her." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Death, Loss, Grief [8] of a primary partner [7], the Pain and Suffering [12], as well as the home and artifacts that carry the memories of a relationship [4] Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Emotional Presence: Story of loss and grief - The connection between Space and Emotion2nd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Tell the story off loss by montage sequences of objects, spaces, and the liminal afterlife3rd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Generative AI prompt -- But also certain aspects of the story is also being dynamically generated and changes each time, although this is harder to discern what was authored and what was generative4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Monologues / subtitles Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Incredible loss and grief, and the malaise of that, allusions to the afterlife as it explores the theme of "loving someone for a long time, beyond absence" - Cyclical nature of time of the Chronos Time and Kairos Time, with 8p becoming a daily reminder of the loss. "October 29, 2022: 159 people did not return home from Itaewon. The hour stayed still." Artist Statement: "When a friend told me they didn't know how to live after losing the person they loved most, I didn't know what to say. How could I possibly grasp the depth of that grief? We don't even know what it truly means to overcome such sorrow. Maybe it means to keep longing for the one who's gone, to keep speaking to them, to let them stay alive inside us. This work was an attempt to hold onto that feeling — of loving someone for a long time, beyond absence." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ3HCloXspk This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

I interviewed Navid Khonsari & Vassiliki Khonsari about LILI on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy. Here is the story synopsis for LILI: "In an Iranian city, Lili, the lonely wife of a militia commander, plots a murder to secure her husband's rise within a corrupt regime. But when the killing unhinges the order of things, she is drawn into a network of deep web hackers — modern-day witches — who weaponise hidden truth. This stylised neo-noir game adaptation of Macbeth unfolds through smartphones, computer screens, and deep-state surveillance, immersing players as hackers in the oppressive surveillance state." Here are the contextual domains that are explored: Embody Hacker within the Surveillance State [12] context of an athoritarian government [10] as you watch someone in their home [4], and you're doing this through a computer and communications technology device [3]. Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity: 1st Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: A screen life thriller with computer screen-based Interactions, operate computer2nd Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: Cut scenes of the Lady MacBeth character unfold, which are gated by you solving little interactive puzzles3rd Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Site-specific installation, and lots of theatrical staging. It's not VR, and so you are primarly interfacing with a computer screen within the context of a hacker-like space. You're watching various action unfold over surveillance footage, but you also are primarily interfacing with a computer screen.4th Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: Possibility spaces of choices to make. There are some different endings, or at least a follow-up QR code to learn more about the identity of either being a rebel or enforcing the authoritarian rule. The primary mode of instruction comes via a chat window as you get clues for various puzzles that you have to solve. You face some mental friction with each puzzle, but then are rewarded with the progression of the story. There's also the symbolic connections and parallels to Shakespeare's MacBeth to add additional contextualization for how this story might adapt to the context of the authoritarian regime within Iran Archetypal Themes and Character Explored: Authoritarian tendancies as well as control "challenges them to question power, control, and complicity." Power, but bringing up questions of Justice. Artist Statement: "A bold reimagining of Macbeth set in present-day Iran, Lili centers on Lady Macbeth in a screen life thriller that embodies the kind of boundary-pushing work we champion at iNK Stories. Fusing film, theatre, and game design, it confronts rising surveillance and authoritarianism. Blending classic storytelling with AI and interactivity, Lili breaks cinematic convention — inviting audiences to step inside the narrative, make choices, and face consequences in a layered experience that challenges them to question power, control, and complicity." This is a listener-supported podcast through the Voices of VR Patreon. Music: Fatality

Send a text“Finding your style” is the number one question we get asked, and the one we've asked ourselves for years. In this episode, we're diving into the real question behind it: what if it's not about finding a single aesthetic… but about uncovering your creative identity? We're celebrating the announcement of our new book, Follow Your Art, and sharing why we wrote it, what you'll find inside, and how the entire process changed the way we think about style, niching, and creative confidence. We talk about why committing to one aesthetic can feel like a cage, why effortless ideas are often your most authentic ones, and how your “secret sauce” is built from everything. We also unpack our take on “niching out, not down,” how to write an artist statement that actually feels like you, and how to market your work without feeling gross.All that and more when you listen to this episode:Why “How do I find my style?” might be the wrong questionThe difference between style and creative identity Why committing to one aesthetic feels terrifying (and limiting) The ice cream shop metaphor that reframes everythingHow to identify your creative “secret sauce” Why what feels effortless might actually be your magicThe role of childhood memories, relationships, and non-art influences in shaping your workWhat “niching out, not down” really meansWhat it was like to co-write a book over several yearsWhy creative work doesn't have to feel hard to be valuableAnd so much more! Mentioned in this episode:Follow Your Art (our new book!) https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book Free audiobook with pre-order https://goodtype.us/follow-your-art-book Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239923273-follow-your-art Connect with Katie & Ilana from Goodtype Goodtype Website Goodtype on Instagram Goodtype on Youtube We wrote a book! Grab a copy and sign up to access the audiobook when we release it! Love The Typecast and free stuff? Leave a review, and send a screenshot of it to us on Slack. Each month we pick a random reviewer to win a Goodtype Goodie! Goodies include merch, courses and Kernference tickets! Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the showTag us on Instagram @GoodtypeFollow us on Tiktok @lovegoodtypeLearn from Katie and IlanaGrab your tea, coffee, or drink of choice, kick back, and let's get down to business!

Have you ever sat in front of a blank screen, trying to describe your work, and felt like every word made it sound flatter? Or worse—like it belonged to someone else entirely? You're not alone. Writing about your art can feel like trying to bottle smoke. You know what you mean when you make it—you can feel it in your hands, your gut, your bones—but the minute you try to put it into words, something vanishes. Maybe you start to overthink it. Maybe you feel the pressure to sound impressive. Or maybe you freeze, because the idea of summing up everything you've ever made in a paragraph feels impossible. In this episode, we're going to change that. We'll explore what a good artist statement actually does, why most of them fall flat, and how to write one that sounds like you—clear, alive, and true. By the end, you'll have a simple framework to follow, some real-world examples to learn from, and practical steps to help you write a statement that connects your work to the people who encounter it. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most artists were never taught to talk about their work, so it feels like “trying to bottle smoke”. Fear and jargon tend to take over. Think of your artist statement as a key rather than a summary; it gives your viewer something to hold on to, or an entry point into your work. It offers vivid clues, images, textures, emotions that invite curiosity. It says, Come on in there's something here for you." Ceri´s CLEAR method will help you to write an artist statement that actually sounds like you. It's all laid out in the episode. BEST MOMENTS “Writing about your work can feel like trying to bottle smoke. You know what you mean when you make it of course, you can feel it in your hands, your gut, your bones. But the minute you try to put it into words, something vanishes.” “Your artist statement isn't about proving you're clever. It's about helping people see what's already there.” “The goal isn't perfection, it's connection. When you can articulate your practice clearly, you can stop apologising for it” PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Listen to the full episode here!We're back with our weekly one on one pod to discuss our least favourite genres of music, The Tom Henry Show, Crudo Pizza and Panuozzo, Guinness becoming too trendy, businesses allowing you to pay via e-transfer, House of Chan, artist statements and more!Josh McIntyreNick Marian----COLD POD

Have you heard of an artist statement? Basically, it's a written statement that drives your work, and something that represents you as a photographer. If you don't have one, it can definitely change the game for your elopement photography business.    Writing an artist statement can sometimes feel like a struggle, but my guest, Colorado-based elopement photographer, Meagan Lawler, breaks it down in a way that's easy to understand. Meagan shares her artist statement, how to begin writing your own, and the importance of taking time to figure out what really inspires you.   If you want to feel even more connected to the work you're already creating, then you're going to want to hit play on this one!    Connect with Meagan:  Website: meaganlawler.com Instagram: @meaganelawler TikTok: @meaganelawler   Connect with Megan:

Let's face it, the words "artist statement" or "bio" are words we artists love to ignore. Working on crafting a statement feels like administrative purgatory, and we'll avoid it at any cost. But this small piece of writing is one of the most powerful tools you can use to get your art in front of the right people.  In this episode, I'm breaking down how to craft yours and I'll show you how to do it in a way that truly reflects your unique artistic voice and vision. Writing about your art is about to become so much easier! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss a thing! And don't forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_ Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art? Email me at amy@jodieking.com! Resources mentioned: Learn more about the Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has  Episode 34: How to Get Your Art Into a Gallery: https://jodieking.com/episode-34-how-to-get-your-art-into-a-gallery/  Episode 70: How Artists Can Get Noticed In The Media with PR Expert Nina Sadauskas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lALXvdmhxS0&list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF&index=35   ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/  The Color Course for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/ccfr Art Biz for Rebels: https://www.jodiekingart.com/artbizforrebels  Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6  How are you liking the Honest Art Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!     Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC64Vn6NF5BfiwLNTSb_VnDA  For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast    

In this essential episode, host Martine Severin draws from her experience creating an artist statement for Scope Miami to provide a practical roadmap for artists struggling with this crucial professional document. From understanding your audience to finding your authentic voice, this episode breaks down the process into manageable steps that will help your work connect with galleries, collectors, and grant committees. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Artist Statements 03:13 Understanding Your Audience and Purpose 06:04 Essential Elements of an Artist Statement 09:09 Approaches to Writing Your Artist Statement 11:58 Common Pitfalls to Avoid 14:47 Refining Your Artist Statement What You'll Learn: How to tailor your statement for different contexts and audiences The five key components that make your statement effective Practical structural approaches to organize your thoughts Common mistakes that undermine your professional presentation Techniques to overcome writer's block and find your authentic voice Free Download: Get the Artist Statement Development Worksheet mentioned in this episode! This step-by-step guide walks you through targeted exercises that help you generate a compelling statement.  Key Insights from Martine: "Despite having AI at our disposal, writing an artist statement isn't a breeze. You still need to create a statement that helps collectors and curators understand the context of your work, creates a bridge between your artistic intentions and the viewer's experience, and distinguishes you in a competitive field." "Your statement should sound like you, not an academic journal, not a marketing brochure, not what you think a 'serious artist' should sound like." "The best artist statements aren't written in a single sitting. Give yourself permission to explore, experiment, and refine, just as you would with any creative project." Support the Show: Website: MartineSeverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martineseverin | @thisishowwecreate Subscribe to the Newsletter: Martine's Substack - Creative Matters This episode of This Is How We Create is produced and edited by Martine Severin.

Writing about your art isn't easy—but it's one of the most important things you can do to clarify your vision and connect with others. In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through a comprehensive guide to writing an effective artist statement that truly reflects your work. You'll hear why artist statements still matter, how to approach the writing process without getting overwhelmed, and what to avoid in your final draft. She also shares specific journaling prompts to help you uncover what's most essential about your art—and how to put your finished statement to work for you. Listen closely for the ultimate test of an artist statement. Whether you're revisiting an old statement or writing one for the first time, this episode is packed with guidance and encouragement to help you write with confidence. 00:37 The Importance of an Artist Statement 02:08 Defining an Artist Statement 03:45 The Process is the Point 06:16 Journaling Prompts for Clarity 10:15 7 Rules Every Artist Statement Should Follow 15:00 The Ultimate Test for Your Statement 18:10 Editing Your Artist Statement 21:39 Putting Your Statement to Work for You 24:00 You've Got This

Get the full notes and written examples on my website, here: https://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork I hope these tips and examples were helpful! If you want me to edit your artist statement, please visit Brush Work's Patreon! You can get editing for under $10 where I will go over grammar, tone, clarity, and everything we talked about above. https://patreon.com/BrushWorkPodcastHost and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and mindsets to keep us in the studio. New episodes every Tuesday!Want to support Brushwork? Join the Brush Club: https://patreon.com/BrushWorkPodcastJoin the Discord, The Arts and Crafts Table: https://discord.gg/FrszPMnBBr Submit to Brush Work: https://www.stephaniescott.art/brush-work-submission Visual Nomad: https://www.instagram.com/visualnomad__/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniescott.art/ Website: http://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork Music by @winepot https://www.instagram.com/thewinepot/ Podcast Cover photo by Maryna Blumqvist https://instagram.com/picturemaryna

Can I work on your Artist Statement? Email me with the subject "Artists Statement" and include your statement and a picture of your art or a link to your social media page/website. Limit 5 artists, will close when goal reached or November 1st. stephanie@stephaniescott.art Host and artist Stephanie Scott breaks down the practicality of the art career with topics including: sustainable creative practices, social media skills, and mindsets to keep us in the studio. New episodes every Tuesday!Find A Giacometti Portrait: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176943.A_Giacometti_Portrait Read Novembers book: Working Girl: On Selling Art And Selling Sex https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86273429-working-girlThe next live recording will be on Twitch on November 10th, 3pm Pacific. https://www.twitch.tv/cheerssteph Want to support Brushwork? Join the Brush Club: https://patreon.com/BrushWorkPodcastJoin the Discord, The Arts and Crafts Table: https://discord.gg/FrszPMnBBr Submit to Brush Work: https://www.stephaniescott.art/brush-work-submission Visual Nomad: https://www.instagram.com/visualnomad__/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniescott.art/ Website: http://www.stephaniescott.art/brushwork Music by @winepot https://www.instagram.com/thewinepot/ Podcast Cover photo by Maryna Blumqvist https://instagram.com/picturemaryna

  The Art of the Artist Statement Join Brie and Len as they delve into the intricate world of artist statements in this enlightening episode of our podcast. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, understanding how to articulate the essence of your work is crucial.  In this episode, you'll discover: The Purpose of an Artist Statement: Why it's more than just a formal necessity; it's a gateway to understanding your own art on a deeper level. Insights from the Masters: From Georgia O'Keeffe's notorious struggles with words to Alfred Stieglitz's philosophical shifts, learn how legendary artists grappled with their artistic identities. Personal Anecdotes: Brie shares her journey to crafting her own statement, reflecting personal growth and artistic identity. Practical Tips: Len offers actionable advice on how to start writing your statement, stressing the importance of being true to your artistic voice. The Introspective Journey: Discover how writing an artist statement can serve as a reflective practice that enhances your connection to your art. Join us to find the essence of your artistic voice and learn how to share it with the world through a compelling artist statement. Whether for an exhibition, a portfolio, or personal clarification, this episode is a treasure trove of insights.   Find out more: Len: For info about The Artist's Club, Drawing Class Len's Masterclass, Free online presentations visit https://www.lensschool.com/. Brie: Want more forward momentum? Schedule a free Creative Success Strategy Session or visit https://creativemindscoach.com/. Visit https://www.wildwomanphotography.com/ to find out more about her photography escapes/retreats and to check out her online portfolio.   Access searchable transcripts of these episodes: https://creativemindscoach.com/a-creative-affair-podcast/     Please don't hesitate to engage us in conversation by connecting with us on Instagram or send us an email at create@acreativeaffairpodcast.com.    Episode image by Brie Stockwell. Cover art by Ami Plasse of GonzoViz.

Recorded by Tarik Dobbs for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. Published on July 30, 2024. www.poets.org

ARTIST STATEMENT:Bre DownerThe Process:I really wanted to paint the skies that I've worshiped under so many times, and a specific moment came to me immediately. I remember watching the sun descend and was in awe of the magnitude of the cumulus clouds. Their colors all mixed almost like a liquid, the golds and oranges....they completely overwhelmed me with a deep sense of awe. As the sun set, the warmth of the colors reminded me of God's nearness, and the deep purples and blues reminded me of his power. This awe is something I wanted to capture. The use of gold leaf was two fold. I wanted the painting to play with illumination and light. Gold is naturally reflective and brightens the tones around it. Thus allowing for a contrast that I find visually rewarding. It also allows for personal reflection on the words of the Psalmists regarding the commandments of the Lord. I feel painting with oil over gold leaf allows God's creation to showcase its beauty and gives us a moment to pause and reflect upon the work of the Lord's hands. How worthy is he to be praised? The Vision In this Psalm of David we learn of different ways the Lord declares himself to his creation and the invitations and warnings he gives us to receive his grace. The first invitation is to look up to the heavens (vs 1-6). They are constantly pouring forth speech and proclaiming his splendor and also his nearness! Accept the invitation to see the salvation of our God. The second invitation is to look down into God's word (vs. 7-11) and be humbled all the same. The declaration of God's glory is across every page. It illuminates hearts the way the sun illuminates the sky, enlightening the eye and soul. As Martin Luther so beautifully stated when talking about Psalm 19, “My conscience has become captive to the word.” It is not enough to just stand in awe of the heavens, we must then accept the invitation the Psalmist gives, and take the warning and gift graciously given to submit to the creator of heaven and earth. How kind is God to allow his creation to proclaim his grace and also his word to shout with even greater clarity the grace we have through Christ? Both sing the same song. Both sing his praises. Both declare the steadfast love of the bridegroom in greater revelation. Just like the sun rises and sets with endurance, so Christ, our bridegroom, mercifully reveals his warmth and love to seeking souls. I pray we receive this invitation and warning. Look inward (vs. 12-14), repent, allow the Lord to cleanse you of sins you see and also sins you are unaware of, then receive the blood of Jesus over your life, which covers a multitude of sins. ARTIST STATEMENT:Tami BolteThe Heavens are evidence of God's existence and Power, His Love and care. God reveals Himself through nature to man, which He also omnipotently created. How can one look up at the stars, the moon and the galaxies and not be humbled at the sheer majesty of our Creator? His vast knowledge and creativity leave you speechless yet so thankful for showing us a glimpse of ALL Yahweh is, The splendor of His glory. It's hard to fathom that our Lord created the Heavens above, and gives each of us and our senses, such delight, without saying a word! Yet, NO ONE is exempt from enjoying and drawing closer to knowing and believing in God personally! It is this high view of God, the moon, stars, the skies, that was significant in my own journey to knowing Him personally. God used glow of a full moon to draw my heart to Him as a 17-year-old at a summer church camp. I wasn't a Christian but was drawn to God's people, something I had not desired before. Three weeks earlier, I had been stood up for my junior prom and was told "I was not WORTH talking” by my boyfriend. All I heard was... YOU ARE NOT WORTH MUCH. Now, three weeks later, I came to camp with my best friend, and let her wear my new Senior class ring I had just saved and bought. She lost it during camp. But instead of being angry, I felt peace I couldn't explain! Campfire had ended on the last night of camp, and I heard of God's love for ME! John 3:16 was shared and my heart understood that Jesus died for ME, my sins. As I walked down the hill, in the bright blue moonlight, I noticed a sparkle SO bright in the tall grass. I reached down to see it and it was my Senior ring!!In my heart I heard, "My Love for you is SO MUCH MORE THAN A RING! Follow Me!” God valued my life! He had drawn me to this moment and valued me! By looking up into that sky, He drew my heart into realizing, the Creator of the Universe had been waiting for me to see a high view of Him and the piece of me I had been searching for that only HE could fill! My life has never been the same. Without saying a word, HE said SO much about His love, grace and mercy to me that I don't deserve. His word truly IS more precious than gold! I chose to paint the vast starry sky with an eclipse of the moon. His light shining through the darkness—-just as it had changed my dark heart with HIS light and mercy. Huntsville has experienced the display of his glory lately in so many amazing ways: The Northern lights, solar and lunar eclipses and the brilliant views of the stars, I wanted them all to be displayed. My painting incorporates acrylics and gold leaf and it you look closely... you can see His Name written in the stars. I am humbled and eternally grateful for this opportunity. Look up! Be still! and listen for His whisper! O LORD, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! 

ARTIST STATEMENT:Bre DownerThe Process:I really wanted to paint the skies that I've worshiped under so many times, and a specific moment came to me immediately. I remember watching the sun descend and was in awe of the magnitude of the cumulus clouds. Their colors all mixed almost like a liquid, the golds and oranges....they completely overwhelmed me with a deep sense of awe. As the sun set, the warmth of the colors reminded me of God's nearness, and the deep purples and blues reminded me of his power. This awe is something I wanted to capture. The use of gold leaf was two fold. I wanted the painting to play with illumination and light. Gold is naturally reflective and brightens the tones around it. Thus allowing for a contrast that I find visually rewarding. It also allows for personal reflection on the words of the Psalmists regarding the commandments of the Lord. I feel painting with oil over gold leaf allows God's creation to showcase its beauty and gives us a moment to pause and reflect upon the work of the Lord's hands. How worthy is he to be praised? The Vision In this Psalm of David we learn of different ways the Lord declares himself to his creation and the invitations and warnings he gives us to receive his grace. The first invitation is to look up to the heavens (vs 1-6). They are constantly pouring forth speech and proclaiming his splendor and also his nearness! Accept the invitation to see the salvation of our God. The second invitation is to look down into God's word (vs. 7-11) and be humbled all the same. The declaration of God's glory is across every page. It illuminates hearts the way the sun illuminates the sky, enlightening the eye and soul. As Martin Luther so beautifully stated when talking about Psalm 19, “My conscience has become captive to the word.” It is not enough to just stand in awe of the heavens, we must then accept the invitation the Psalmist gives, and take the warning and gift graciously given to submit to the creator of heaven and earth. How kind is God to allow his creation to proclaim his grace and also his word to shout with even greater clarity the grace we have through Christ? Both sing the same song. Both sing his praises. Both declare the steadfast love of the bridegroom in greater revelation. Just like the sun rises and sets with endurance, so Christ, our bridegroom, mercifully reveals his warmth and love to seeking souls. I pray we receive this invitation and warning. Look inward (vs. 12-14), repent, allow the Lord to cleanse you of sins you see and also sins you are unaware of, then receive the blood of Jesus over your life, which covers a multitude of sins. ARTIST STATEMENT:Tami BolteThe Heavens are evidence of God's existence and Power, His Love and care. God reveals Himself through nature to man, which He also omnipotently created. How can one look up at the stars, the moon and the galaxies and not be humbled at the sheer majesty of our Creator? His vast knowledge and creativity leave you speechless yet so thankful for showing us a glimpse of ALL Yahweh is, The splendor of His glory. It's hard to fathom that our Lord created the Heavens above, and gives each of us and our senses, such delight, without saying a word! Yet, NO ONE is exempt from enjoying and drawing closer to knowing and believing in God personally! It is this high view of God, the moon, stars, the skies, that was significant in my own journey to knowing Him personally. God used glow of a full moon to draw my heart to Him as a 17-year-old at a summer church camp. I wasn't a Christian but was drawn to God's people, something I had not desired before. Three weeks earlier, I had been stood up for my junior prom and was told "I was not WORTH talking” by my boyfriend. All I heard was... YOU ARE NOT WORTH MUCH. Now, three weeks later, I came to camp with my best friend, and let her wear my new Senior class ring I had just saved and bought. She lost it during camp. But instead of being angry, I felt peace I couldn't explain! Campfire had ended on the last night of camp, and I heard of God's love for ME! John 3:16 was shared and my heart understood that Jesus died for ME, my sins. As I walked down the hill, in the bright blue moonlight, I noticed a sparkle SO bright in the tall grass. I reached down to see it and it was my Senior ring!!In my heart I heard, "My Love for you is SO MUCH MORE THAN A RING! Follow Me!” God valued my life! He had drawn me to this moment and valued me! By looking up into that sky, He drew my heart into realizing, the Creator of the Universe had been waiting for me to see a high view of Him and the piece of me I had been searching for that only HE could fill! My life has never been the same. Without saying a word, HE said SO much about His love, grace and mercy to me that I don't deserve. His word truly IS more precious than gold! I chose to paint the vast starry sky with an eclipse of the moon. His light shining through the darkness—-just as it had changed my dark heart with HIS light and mercy. Huntsville has experienced the display of his glory lately in so many amazing ways: The Northern lights, solar and lunar eclipses and the brilliant views of the stars, I wanted them all to be displayed. My painting incorporates acrylics and gold leaf and it you look closely... you can see His Name written in the stars. I am humbled and eternally grateful for this opportunity. Look up! Be still! and listen for His whisper! O LORD, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! 

Wie findest du das für dich passende Stipendium und meisterst die Bewerbung? Comic-Künstlerin Greta von Richthofen erzählt von ihren eigenen Erlebnissen und gibt wertvolle Ratschläge. Erfahre, wie du die schwarzen Schafe unter den Stipendien erkennst, was ein Artist Statement ist und wie du durch Stipendien Aufträge generierst.

Join Renata and Maxxy Rainbow as they finish off their reviews of Eurovision 2024 including entries from Armenia, Georgia, Australia, along with the revamps from Albania, Malta, Czechia, and Luxembourg! They also discuss their favorites and flops from PreParty ES, along with the artist statements regarding Israel's participation in Eurovision AND Maxxy explains why they deleted Twitter for good!

Carol MacConnell is not afraid of a large expanse of blank canvas. Rather, she relishes the opportunity to create beautiful works that live beyond the canvas."As an artist, my journey has been one of evolution and exploration, marked by a transformation from realism to impressionism, and ultimately, to abstraction. The progression of my artistic style over 25 years has been the building block for this latest phase of my art, abstraction," noted Carol in her Artist Statement. Despite the awards and accolades, Carol remains true to herself - an artist who never stops exploring!FOR MORE INFORMATION VISITwebsite:www.carolmacconnell.comIG:@carolpaints_

What Is Your Why?Join Skye Becker-Yamakawa and Catherine Moore for a brand new episode about discovering your why.  This week the ladies will help you discover your personal prerogative.  They will define the elusive Why Statement.  What is the importance of a Why Statement?  How do you find your why?  They will explain some of Simon Sinek's beliefs and processes.  The ladies also discover how a Why Statement relates to an Artist Statement, and how it can help your art business.  The episode ends with an exciting opportunity for artists and art collectors offered from the Oakland Library in California.Check out Skye's and Catherine's work at:Skye Becker-Yamakawa IG: https://www.instagram.com/skyesartshop/ Web: http://www.skyesart.com/ Catherine Moore IG: https://www.instagram.com/teaandcanvas/ Web: http://teaandcanvas.com/ Polka Dot Raven IG: https://www.instagram.com/polkadotraven/

How to Write and Artist StatementJoin Catherine Moore and Skye Becker-Yamakawa for a captivating episode about ‘How to write an Artist Statement.'  First the ladies explain what an Artist Statement is.  Next they discuss the difference between an Artist Statement versus an Artist Bio?  Lastly they give helpful tips and personal experience on how to take on this monumental task.  The episode ends with an entertaining Art News segment about Robert Banks, or as we know him, ‘Banksy.”Check out Skye's and Catherine's work at:Skye Becker-Yamakawa IG: https://www.instagram.com/skyesartshop/ Web: http://www.skyesart.com/ Catherine Moore IG: https://www.instagram.com/teaandcanvas/ Web: http://teaandcanvas.com/ Polka Dot Raven IG: https://www.instagram.com/polkadotraven/

Have you ever contemplated the significance of artist statements in pottery? If so, you're not alone. Join me, Nic Torres, as I dissect the relevance of artist statements in the wondrous world of pottery. We uncover what an artist statement is and how it can articulate the essence of your pottery to the world, while also discussing the fleeting nature of pottery and how this affects the utility of these statements. If you have any questions don't be afraid to reach to me on instagram @nictorres_pottery  

Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world. Edward Hopper --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisawkwardlife/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thisawkwardlife/support

Today we are exploring the art of crafting an engaging artist statement. Whether you're an emerging artist or an established one, having a compelling artist statement is crucial in communicating your artistic vision and connecting with your audience. Having an artistic statement can be important if you want to sell your art, enter your art in competitions, or have an online website and portfolio. Artists, let's get into it! Artists - Please take a minute to rate the podcast 5 stars wherever you are listening! It helps me to keep the podcast going and reach more artists. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/laurenkristineart/⁠⁠ Email: laurenkristineart@gmail.com

“Writing About Creativity”,  a Conversation with Jennifer Leo Welcome to Episode 61 of I Like Art! We are excited to share this wonderful interview between I Like host Sara Glupker and artist Jen Leo. In this episode, hear these two artists discuss the importance of writing about art and how the process of deep self excavation can help us gain clarity about our art and creativity. Find ways to gain support from Jen in your own writing and hear about opportunities to work with her. Check the show notes below for a special discount code for podcast listeners! To learn more about Jennifer Leo and her artist story, tune in to Episode 37 of the I Like Art Podcast (link is below).    Jennifer Leo is a Canadian artist and designer from Toronto, Canada. An Alumni of Ontario College of Art and design, Jennifer has studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she currently resides. The influence of Tuscan life and culture remains an integral part of her art and she works effortlessly to share her experience and passions in the creative communitiy, and internationally. Her bold, colourful, and abstract works have become a staple of her artistic identity, and they take the viewer on an evocative journey of curiousity and awareness.   Links & things that were mentioned in today's episode: Work with Jen on your writing here: https://www.jenleostudio.com/workshopsservices/artist-statements-consultations       Note: Use code: “ILIKEART” for a 10% discount off the packages, this code will be available through this summer 2023!   Read Sara's Artist Statement here: https://www.saraglupkerart.com/about   Learn more about Jen Leo the artist by listening to Episode 37 of I Like Art Podcast      Learn More about Jen Leo here: Website: www.jenleostudio.com    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenleo_artflo/   You can watch this entire interview here on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/EDBLNRB9yw8    Follow I Like Art Podcast on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ilikeart.podcast/   Find Sara Glupker- Podcast host here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraglupker Website: https://www.saraglupkerart.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraStrongGlupkerArtist   YouTube Channel: "Cherry Tree Art Studio - Sara Glupker" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0wtbrnl7JIj-XtHM85u50w

Ryan and Becca are excited to have Tim Kowalczyk from Tims Ceramics on to cover a range of topics and answer a couple listener questions. We chat about selling through galleries, testing new processes, being "academic" with how you talk about your work, taking yourself a little less seriously, artist statements, & applying to shows. We hope you enjoy the discussion and big thanks to Tim for spending so much time with us.-----Find more about Tim's business below-----Instagram - @timsceramicsShop - https://tims-ceramics.myshopify.com/collections/allWebsite - https://timsceramics.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5UD4uaoiGKwXI89NyBeGigListener QuestionsOn this episode:- What do you think are the advantages of doing a curated show? Disadvantages? I've been invited to participate in a group show with some other Ceramic artists that I really admire. The show is a little over a month long at a gallery in Portland. After saying yes, I find out that they want 10 pieces, but really they only want 2 pieces to be shown at the gallery, the rest would be only virtual. Of course the gallery wants 50% of all of the 10 pieces. It would be still my responsibility to drop ship the pieces to the customer. I think the shipping fee will be added to the order so I don't have to cough that up too. I already sell pretty much 100% of my work virtual on my own website. Although, I don't always sell out on a shop update. Is doing this show or this type of show really going to give me that much more exposure to give up 50%? I'm in such a quandary! Oh and they want to see pictures of all 10 pieces 3 months before the show. @juliannroush - Have you talked about writing artist statements for submitting work to galleries? I had to do one recently and wasn't sure how to approach it. (Also I am thinking Becca probably hates artist statements.

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The importance of understanding and defining your artist's why in order to effectively market and sell your artwork. Ultimately, understanding an artist's why will help you create a compelling artist statement that will draw in art buyers and ultimately lead to sales. This is the core of your art marketing.I share 4 ways to use your why to sell your art online.I provide you 13 supporting questions to help define your artist's why, as well as advice to help work through writer's block. I have recommended a creativity hack, backed by neuroscience, to help you break through any writer's block you may experience: the why walk.YOU WILL LEARN:✓4 ways to use your why to sell your art online.✓Discover the truly optimal place for your brain to do that introspection and work on your, your why, your deeper purpose, your artist's statement✓It is important to start working on your artist's statement and your why right away. ✓13 supporting why questions. ✓How to overcome writer's block✓How to boost creativity✓ A creativity hack, backed by neuroscience, to help you break through any writer's block you may experience:00:07:00"Unlocking the Power of Nature: How Going on a Why Walk Can Help You with Your Artist Statement"00:14:00"Writing a Compelling Artist Statement: A Step-by-Step Guide"00:16:00"Unlock Your Creative Purpose and Improve Your Marketing as an Artist"RESOURCES

An artist statement is a written description of an artist's work, process, and inspiration. It's a document that helps to communicate the artist's intentions and provides context for the work they create. On this episode of Cowgirls with Cameras; Kim, Cara and Phyllis talk about their experience writing an artist statement and provide a few tips to help photographers navigate the process. Mentioned in this episode:Sponsor Stormlily Marketinghttps://www.stormlilymarketing.com/take-the-reins-coaching

Did you know your artist statement is the #1 factor if your art sales are flourishing or flopping? The problem is most artists are sharing the wrong things.  This episode is all about why the artist statement is the foundational piece of your art marketing and exactly how to improve yours. I will give specific examples from my Artpreneur Academy students as well as my own artist statement. Most artists are not digging deep into the most compelling parts of their artist statement that will compel art collectors to buy their artwork. This needs to be addressed at the foundational level of your art business strategy so you can have success promoting art online, instead of getting frustrated or giving up! KEY TOPICSYou will learn:This applies if you are selling art on Etsy, selling art on TikTok, selling art on Instagram, your art website, anywhere!Exactly how to use your artist statement to sell your art on social mediaA simple exercise to do today to get your online audience to engage with your posts and buy your artwork. Why art collectors buy your art [2:05]Art buyers have a choice [3:30]What key elements to include in your artist statement [4:53]Elevate it! How to write a compelling artist statement to sell your artwork [5:57]Artist statement examples [7:44]My artist statement on jennawebbart.com [11:27]How to use your artist statement to sell your artwork on social media [12:12]The exercise to get engagement and art sales online [13:25]How to get an unshakeable Artpreneur Mindset [15:04]Exercise [13:25] Fill in the blank then post online. I can't wait to hear the difference in your audience's reaction.  Tag me to let me know how it goes!Tag me @jennawebbartRESOURCE Having an unshakeable Artpreneur mindset is the #1 key to be able to sell your art full time and live the life you've always dreamed of. It is only available through the Artpreneur Challenge. The Challenge is only available for FREE until MAY 31st ($800 value)⬇To start the challenge today visit: https://www.jennawebbart.com/artpreneurchallengeLINKS Share this Episode: www.buzzsprout.com/2179330/12750405

Welcome to Mind Your Practice. I'm Beth Pickens and in this episode, I will consider the lies we are told about aging.  *****Thanks for listening to Mind Your Practice and be sure to subscribe so you get all the bonus episodes coming your way. Want more homework and support for your creative practice? Join Homework Club where you'll get monthly homework, workshops, live QnA's, and an accountability pod, hand chosen by me. Go to bethpickens.com to learn more. You can find me on Instagram at @bethpickensconsulting. Thanks for listening and keep making art. Mind Your Practice is created by Beth Pickens and Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs. 

In Islamic art, representations of women and the female figure are controversial. Hend Al Mansour, from Saudi Arabia, currently residing in the United States, examines Islamic social practices. Her multi-media works celebrate and critiques Islamic Arab culture. The artist, through Islamic aesthetic addresses gender equality, sexual independence and role of women. This episode includes a conversation with Hend..Hend Al Mansour website: https://www.hendalmansour.com/Artist Statement: https://www.hendalmansour.com/artist-statement.htmlA.I.R. Gallery: https://www.airgallery.org/.Description credit: Hend Al MansourImage Cover credit: "Facebook 1".Special thanks to Nine90 Group sponsoring this episode. www.nine90.com