We are currently working on an art exhibit where the primary delivery system will be a head mount Virtual Reality (VR) unit (i.e., Meta Quest 3). In the exhibition Classical Chinese myths and beliefs about Chinese Dragons will be recontextualized from a Western cultural perspective. Chinese Martial Arts will also play a major role in inspiring visual elements of the project. Four VREs (Virtual Reality Environments) will be created. Each will be framed by a word or phrase:
1. Mortality – Dragons are literally “Riders of the Storm” as Chinese Dragons are associated with rain, thunder, and lightning. Thematic elements from The Door’s song by the same name is used to explore our finite existence and how finitude informs our choices in life.
2. Non – Binary / Non – Duality- Based on an artificial intelligence “hallucination.” The Classic Dragon and Phoenix myth is used as a motif to examine the concept of “Non – binary / Non-duality.
3. Transcendence – In this VR environment a lonely koi fish attempts to overcome his alienation by swimming to the top of a waterfall known as Dragon Gate. The Classic Dragon Gate myth is retold and modified I Ching symbols are used to frame our thinking about the existential dilemma of alienation and loneliness.
4. Selbstüberwindung (Self-overcoming) – Just as the Dragon is often depicted as chasing a pearl (sometimes flaming), we are always chasing after resolution of our psychological conflicts in our lives. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche used the phrase self-overcoming to describe how to become ourselves we must first overcome who we are. Self-overcoming is a never-ending process that occurs throughout our lifespan.
This VR piece features moves from a Northern Dragon Five family /Five animal kung fu form. Movements from the form were mapped onto 3d models and the models were animated in a 3d space within Blender.
Project director Dr. Brian Betz performing a movement from “Small Fire Dragon” from Northern White Dragon Style
When I was at Kent State University my primary research was in Artistic Virtual Environments (AVE). AVEs are virtual environments created by artists for artistic purposes. My research team and I examined the sense of presence in these environments and the occurrence of the aesthetic experience while in an AVE.
