Music and VR: Mythologies and Worldbuilding

Music and VR: Mythologies and Worldbuilding

Over the last two decades in which VR headsets have become consumerized, we’ve seen a wax and wane in the interest of VR as a tool for entertainment. It’s apparent that we generally prefer in-person, lived music experiences – so at what point might VR become a constructive tool for artistic storytelling and music experiences where our other vehicles might fall short?

In this talk, through the case study of Bjork’s album Vulnicura, we’ll think about VR through the lens of storytelling, mythologies, and worldbuilding in music. We’ll touch on the philosophical and cultural origins of VR tech and its reflection of our social condition. We’ll discuss why this medium may compliment the message, and, conversely, where VR may fall short. We’ll also dive a bit deeper into the methods of VR production used in this album, including technologies used in authoring and rendering 3D experiences, as well as general observations on creating performances for VR.

Speakers