Fountains of Data: Evocation Zones

Scott Smallwood; Marilene Oliver; Daniel Evans

Image credit: Scott Smallwood; Marilene Oliver; Daniel Evans

• Format: Installation
• Session: installations-1, installations-2
• Presence: In person
• Duration: N/A*

Abstract:

FlowState is a virtual reality (VR) installation inspired by one of several dozen ancient Celtic baths in the Brittany region of France, built by Bretons in the 3-5th centuries. These baths were believed to be places of healing, often of very specific ailments, and were part of a larger culture of water as a healing agent. In our piece, the visitor initially encounters a field of particles, a point cloud outlining the bath structure in an empty black space (see fig. 1). As the visitor explores the area, moving arms in swim-like strokes causes interaction with the soundscape, including the addition of water sounds, and eventually leading to the particles resolving into a more realistic conception of the space, via lidar scans, 360-degree video, and sound recorded on the actual site of the fountain.