Senses Swirling in Virtual Reality
A sensual exploration in VR
Thomas Tucker (Virginia Tech/US)
Tohm Judson (US)
David Franusich (ICAT/US)
Lucas Freeman (Virginia Tech/US)
Phat Nguyen (Virginia Tech/US)
Jesse Bibel (Virginia Tech/US)
Paul Stiles (Virginia Tech/US)
Meaghan Dee (Virginia Tech /US)
The Senses Swirling Project attempts to bridge the divide between the digital world and the physical by creating an experience which engages all five senses while transporting participants into a hyperreal space. Senses Swirling is an exploration of our reality through virtual reality with a behind-the-scenes theatrical set and puppetry. This project takes an immersive VR encounter and extends it outward. What is usually an isolating experience is transformed into a world where participants can truly interact with and influence the world around them. Objects which are touched will respond visually and communicate with sound and smell, influencing the environment itself.
Thomas Tucker (US): Thomas Tucker is an Associate Professor in School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. thomastucker.net
Tohm Judson (US): Tohm Judson is a Software Development Engineer for Microsoft and Multimedia Artist currently residing in Redmond, Washington.
David Franusich (US): David Franusich is a transdisciplinary artist, designer, and image maker. He works at the intersection of the physical and the digital, exploring materiality through immersive environments, new media sculpture, projected video, and sound. David holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technologies from Virginia Tech. http://www.davidfranusich.com
Lucas Freeman (US): Lucas Freeman is a 3D Artist focusing on immersive environments and visual effects. Working with Unreal Engine and Houdini, he explores different ways to bring entertainment and education together. Lucas holds a Bachelor’s in Studio Art and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technologies from Virginia Tech. https://lucasfreemanartist.com/
Phat Nguyen (US): Phat Nguyen’s research focuses on the development of immersive experiences, connecting art with technology and pushing the boundaries of visual art with emerging technologies. https://www.phatnguyenart.com/
Jesse Bibel (US): Jesse Bibel is a mixed media artist who focuses on 3D printing and CNC machining technologies.
Paul Stiles(US): Paul Stiles received a B.A. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He is currently working as a mechanical engineering project manager with Sealed Air. His main research interests include automation engineering, industrial integration of extended reality, and chemical process optimization. http://stilesmech.com/
Meaghan A. Dee (US), Bio: Meaghan Dee is both a practicing graphic designer and an educator. She is an Associate Professor and serves as Chair for the Graphic Design program at Virginia Tech and as Co-Chair of the AIGA Design Educators Community. She received her BFA from University of Illinois, with a focus in Graphic Design, and her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a focus in Visual Communication Design. http://meaghand.com/
Project Credits:
Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/architecture
Institute For Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT), https://icat.vt.edu/
School of Visual Arts, Virginia Tech (VT). https://www.sova.vt.edu/
