Prehistoric VR, a new virtual reality experience, will open at ACMI in Melbourne later this month. Introduced by one of Australia’s most innovative performing arts companies Erth Visual & Physical Inc, the exhibition will open on Saturday 23 September and run until the 8 October 2017.
Also opening up alongside the exhibition, will be a dedicated VR Lounge, Screen Worlds, showcasing a rotating selection of VR works beginning with The Turning Forest, a mystical fairy tale full of sound and colour created by leading Melbourne-based VR company VRTOV, who are also resident at ACMI’s co-working space ACMI X.
Commissioned by ACMI, and developed with assistance from Create NSW in partnership with AFTRS (the Australia Film Television & Radio School), Handmaid Media and Start VR, Prehistoric VR is a collaboration between internationally renowned makers of large-scale puppetry experiences Erth and award-winning visual artist and filmmaker Samantha Lang.
“As the national museum for film, TV, games digital culture and art, ACMI is fascinated by the rapid evolution of VR and the new ways practitioners are engaging audiences through this platform,” said ACMI Director and CEO, Katrina Sedgwick.
“Alongside our vibrant commissioning program, the VR Lounge is the latest addition to our free, permanent exhibition, Screen Worlds. We are delighted that the first showcased work is the beautiful The Turning Forest, created by VRTOV in collaboration with BBC Research and Development. It is a stunning work which will delight people young and old,”
Adapted from Erth’s large-scale puppet show Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium, Prehistoric VR is the first 360-degree VR puppetry experience of its kind. The work drops viewers onto the ocean floor 200 million years ago, for an immersive encounter with the strange, wonderful and terrifying creatures of the prehistoric deep.
The viewer will be met by prehistoric marine creatures including bioluminescent jellyfish, Anglerfish, Anomalocaris, Paracyclotosaurus, Dickinsonia, Plesiosaurus and Kronosaurus – all creatures that have a connection to Australia’s prehistoric past. Throughout the work the viewer remains the centre of the action, surrounded by creatures that swim about and investigate them. Designed for ages 7 and up, Prehistoric VR is a stunning deep sea adventure that everyone will enjoy.
Prehistoric VR is on at ACMI in Melbourne’s Federation Square from Saturday 23 September until Sunday 8 October. For all the details head to acmi.net.au/prehistoric-v
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