Remixing identities, a robot bartender, magicians in residence, and more
Our column that shines a spotlight on people, collectives, and organizations doing wonderful things.
The Nest Collective
The Nest Collective is a multidisciplinary arts collective based in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2012, the Nest has created works in film, music, fashion, visual arts and literature, such as the critically-acclaimed queer anthology film Stories of Our Lives, and Tuko Macho — a groundbreaking interactive crime web series. They also made one of Africa’s first VR films, Let This Be A Warning ( I was one of the producers of this so I’m a little bit biased but it’s a fascinating piece).
“Together we explore our troubling modern identities, re-imagine our pasts and remix our futures. In all our works, we prioritize the acknowledgement and stating of our different individual perspectives and privileges, and our work strives to convey this dialogue.”
Public VR Lab
Co-founded by Kathy Bisbee, the Public VR Lab is promoting a Community VR/XR movement that facilitates public dialogue about XR storytelling and accessibility. The model that Bisbee is creating for VR in the public interest is very inspiring and we are looking forward to hearing about other projects with a similar mission and approach.
Two Bit Circus
Two Bit Circus are opening the world’s first Micro-Amusement Park this month in Los Angeles. It has virtual reality, escape rooms, old-school arcade games and carnival attractions with a modern twist. Oh and there’s also a robot bartender. Many of you working in Virtual Reality will know Nancy Bennett, Two Bit Circus’ Chief Creative Officer. She is a great path forger and mentor to many VR makers.
Courtney Cogburn
Courtney Cogburn is an Assistant Professor at Columbia University studying the effects of racism on health. She is the creator of 1000 Cut Journey, a powerful VR experience where the viewer becomes Michael Sterling, a black man, encountering racism as a young child, adolescent, and young adult.
Pervasive Media Studio
The Pervasive Media Studio hosts a community of more than100 artists, creative companies, technologists and academics exploring experience design and creative technology. It is a collaboration between Watershed, University of Bristol and UWE Bristol. This kind of partnership between cultural arts spaces and academia can be very powerful. The brilliant Clare Reddington has recently taken over leadership of Watershed so no doubt more exciting things are on the horizon.
“It’s a world of amazingness and wonder. If Willy Wonka existed, he’d be jealous of it,” says Kieron Kirkland, former Magician-in-residence
Immerse is an initiative of the MIT Open DocLab and The Fledgling Fund, and is fiscally sponsored by IFP. Learn more about our vision for the project here.