Aporia (360 video documentation)

APORIA is a virtual world that speculates on the sociological processes behind open and closed societies. The work took inspiration from ‘Crowds and Power’ by Elias Canetti. The behavioural dynamics elaborated in the book are reproduced by the 60 individuals in the VR experience. They inhabit the world of APORIA as human avatars, moving and acting randomly according to artificial intelligence algorithms. APORIA’s residents can take decisions and actions on their own as they explore the surrounding environment. Some of them act close-minded, privileging to build walls and following a strong order principle. The other half is more tolerant, moving freely and unrestrictedly. Every one of them follows his own daily routine, until a disturbing factor is randomly introduced. Another human avatar unknown to the others, a stranger. The response by the residents of APORIA may differ. Groups are formed and dispersed. Leaders are appointed and released. The social dynamics coming into play become now the central focus of the work. This video is a 360 recording of the generative work Aporia. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Resonant Realities (April 16 - July 4, 2021, at Haus am Lützowplatz, Berlin) In collaboration with the VR ART PRIZE in Cooperation with CAA Berlin More information: vrkunst.dkb.de

(c) the artist VR Experience / Live Simulation: Programming by Martin Pleiß