Vision Fountain had a productive 2022. We added innovative digital skills and broadened our partnership network while building on our strengths of community storytelling.
“Kings of the Underground” introduced 3D portraiture, oral history and gaming technology to communities in the Afan and Rhondda Valleys and Cardiff Bay.It culminated in two mixed-media exhibitions in Museum of Wales’ National Waterfront Museum (’til 03.23) and Rhondda Heritage Park & featured in The Guardian.
In 2022 we navigated a pathway from immersive storytelling and oral history into affordable virtual reality experiences for the cultural sector. In collaboration with A Welsh Coalmining Experience, Vision Fountain built the UK’s first virtual reality (VR) coal mine, complete withpit ponies and interactive coalface. The fully portable VR experience was quickly followed with a VR Welsh Fossil library. A “live” 70 million year-old raptor dinosaur, that appeared amongst the interactive fossils, stole the show!
Research + Developement will continue to power our output through-out 2023 as we push to bring cutting edge audio-visual output to a wider audience.
In 2022 we added tertiary educators & tech companies to our established network of cultural organisations & schools. Our relationship with Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Photography Dept. and School of Technology is blossoming while US tech start-up, ArborXR, enabled us to navigate delicate VR safeguarding issues.
The pathway towards an innovative & inclusive future would not be possible without our partners, suppliers & funders; Heritage Fund, Arts Council, Rhondda CynonTaff Council, Welsh Government, Amgueddfa Cymru & The School of Social Entrepreneurs. Thank you!!