Dinamiche della Città di Zora
Lorenzo Pandolfi presented his thesis on Digital Audiovisual Composition for his two-year degree in Electronic Music. His advisor was Professor Valerio Murat. The thesis focused on creating an Audio-Driven game in Virtual Reality. Lorenzo explored how sound could enhance the immersive experience of VR gaming. He aimed to push the boundaries of traditional game design by integrating innovative audio techniques. Lorenzo's work showcased the potential of combining music and technology to create engaging virtual environments.
This thesis work represents a significant advancement in our research, following our collaboration with the Keiron Network. The experience presented here is part of a process initiated with the Ciacelli Exhibition and aims to explore the use of Virtual Reality in the exhibition field to enhance existing figurative artworks. A deep connection was developed between various works of Arturo Ciacelli, establishing a narrative link between this thesis and the work done by colleague Walter Corneli, who selected stylistically diverse pieces. This exploration opens new avenues for understanding the potential of Virtual Reality in art exhibitions.
The connection between the two projects is solidified through the creation of a cohesive story that merges the two experiences seamlessly. The user begins within the three-dimensional environment of the room at Palazzo Gottifredo, the exhibition venue. By interacting with an hourglass, the user is transported through a portal into the experience developed for this thesis. Within the experience, the user finds themselves in a desert with a monumental structure, passing through which leads to various settings, such as a particular structure and a town made up of buildings. This immersive journey showcases the potential of Virtual Reality in art exhibitions, offering a unique and engaging way to interact with artworks.
Each environment emits harmonious sounds, but users may hear dissonant sounds when looking in certain directions. These sounds are linked to "keys" that users must find by following directional audio clues. Once found, keys are placed on pedestals, triggering a mechanism that rotates the structures in the scene. This interactive experience challenges users to explore and interact with the environment to progress.
The structures' movement, controlled by interacting with buttons, is linked to playing sounds transitioning dynamically from harmonious to discordant. Aligning all structures shifts from harmony to discord, leading to a symbolic final event. The next experience, developed by a colleague, will delve into seeking stability and harmony. The interactive nature of the environment challenges users to explore and engage to move forward.
There, they discover the keys found earlier in the desert. This reveals that the initial experience actually took place inside the hourglass, highlighting a cycle of instability and stability in the experience's narrative. The user's journey through shifting harmonies and symbolic discord leads them to a deeper exploration of balance and consonance. The interactive elements challenge users to actively participate and progress in the environment.
