Nature’s Wonderland Virtual Reality R+D (funded by Arts Council Wales) was an attempt to create a truly participatory virtual reality project, where all of the assets were created outside the digital space by artists and young participants.
The initial idea was to create a balanced “wonderland” ecosystem that resembles the balance that exists between communities in the Grangetown and Butetown areas of Cardiff.
The young learners were able to experience some of the models in VR, that they imagined and then created in craft workshops. They drew then crafted from paper, card, string and clay, the animals they imagined, with the guidance of Japanese artists Mari Wirth.
Mari Wirth’s, beautiful and intricate paper cut of a tree canopy and animals, formed the sky-dome. 3D scans of local trees, foraged mushrooms and vegetation from the Cardiff woodland were created by Richard and Chieko from Vision Fountain, (who also managed and designed the project).
A spatial soundscape was provided by Phil Reeve’s “meditatory” music supplemented by some voice recordings in different languages.
3D artists and developer / technologist Will who put the models and scans into place.
The young people at ACE Cardiff were able to teleport (move) themselves around the natural world, interact with the models and were transported to another world. They all had a around 10 minutes in “Nature’s Wonderland.”
Their reactions were extremely positive and playful but also had suggestions how to improve;
“I really enjoyed playing in it. I want to try again.”
“It’s so awsome and amazing to see our work. I want a VR headset.”
“I want see more animals and more interactivity.”
It was so much fun. But I’d like to see my freinds in there too.”
We also tested the experience with some children at Trinity Fields, Caerphilly’s Additional Learning Needs hub. There the reaction from a couple of teenagers related to the tranquility of the experince: “It was extremely peaceful.”
The R+D, we felt, went pretty well and we were able to create, and test, a basic prototype. Over-all it’s been a great learning journey with all of our collaborators.
Thanks to Cerys Thomas at Arts Council Wales” funding and Wales Millenium Centre’s David Massey and ACE Cardiff for their support.
@milleniumcentre @davidmassey @ceryrthomas @artscouncilwales @visionfountain @mariwirth