Virtual Histories

I delivered a keynote speech setting out the agenda for the conference, discussing 'Virtual Histories': a selected history of virtual technologies in an art and design context with specific reference to the 'Virtual reality as a fine art medium research group' which existed at Chelsea College of Arts between 1994 and 1998.

The conference was the first in a series of four which I organised and presented at the Tate Modern Exchange in London as part of events organised by the UAL Digital Maker Collective. Each conference brought together researchers, educators, and industry experts to critically explore the re-emergence of virtual reality technology and the potentials and challenges it offered in art and design practice. The other events discussed Virtual Economies, Virtual Bodies and Virtual Spaces.

My presentation addressed the historical contexts for Virtual Reality in Art and Design. It revisited ideas of immersion, interaction and engagement using examples from my own research practice and from the history of art. The talk revisited the Virtual Reality and the Gallery conference organised by 'the Virtual Reality as a fine art medium research project' at the Tate Britain in May 1995 to analyse the shift in attitudes in the art and design world towards creative uses of new technologies.

Other Speakers on the day were also connected with the Chelsea Research Project, Dr Kevin Atherton ran the Chelsea VR project and Dr Tim O' Riley was a researcher on a parallel project. We explored the developments that further propel us into parallel, simultaneous and virtual space. We explored moments in the history of immersion specifically in relation to art and design practice as we plot the critical points that map our trajectory into Virtual Futures.

Other speakers in the four part series included:

- Allison Crank [UX Designer and Researcher]
- Rhiannon Monks [CEO Start VR]
- Oluwaseyi Sosanya [CEO Gravity Sketch]
- Ersin Han Ersin [Designer, Marshmallow Laserfeast]
- Professor Jo Stockham [Royal College of Art]
- Piera Mascoli Denker-Rasmussen [MA ISD, Chelsea, UAL]
- Dr Ken Wilder [Reader, UAL]
- Patrick Morgan [Designer, Room One VR]
- Daniel Cheatham [CEO, Happy Finish]

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