Patikulamanasikara, 2022
VR experience for Oculus QUEST 2
The idea behind creating this work takes after a traditional Buddhist practice: “Patikulamanasikara”, reflections on repulsiveness. What is coined as the “contemplation of impurity” is as conducting an anatomical dissection by intent of thought, the Buddhist disciple takes what makes up his own body, the organs, fluids and filling tissues as the object of his contemplation. With this practice, the disciple develops a feeling of abjection towards the body, breaking away from the preoccupation of the flesh. "Patikulamanasikara”, this interactive VR installation places the viewer’s point of view inside a “virtual body”, synchronously allowing the viewer to control this “virtual body” with a VR touch controllers through inverse kinematics. In this artwork, the viewer seems to temporary access this virtual body. However, following the passing of time, ultimately, the viewer loses the power to control this “virtual body”. The artwork sends the experience of the viewer to circulate between virtual scape, body, and perception. At the same time, the practice of Patikulamanasikara reflects a certain understanding of the body. The artwork explores the body under the viewpoint of cyborg and post-humanism, providing another way to think about how the body is constructed, even imagined.
Credit:
VR Interactive Software Developer | Lin Hung
Sound Designer | Chen Lin-Shuang
Filmmaker | YUAN STUDIO Hsu Po-Yen
Special Thanks | Aymei, Chang Wen-Woan, Chang Yu-Cheng, Fan Chiao-Ssu, Liu Wen-Hao, Lu Wei, Ray He
Duration: 5mins, Roomscale
IMAGES
VIDEO LINK
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Tuan Mu (Taiwan, b. 1994) is an artist and independent curator based in Taipei. After graduating from Taipei National University of the Arts with a major in Ink Painting, he began seeking ways in which new media could reinterpret the unique worldview of traditional Asian culture, using a poetical approach to explore human perception and thinking in this age of technology. His artworks often develop from Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, East Asian animism and mythological tales. Combining media such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, animation, sound performances, ink painting and calligraphy, Tuan Mu’s artworks compose a transdisciplinary narrative structure, and engage the viewer in a dialogue. His artworks have been presented in numerous international exhibitions, including Durres Biennale, Athens Digital Arts Festival, Asia Digital Art Exhibition, CutOut Fest, Miami New Media Festival, Now & After International Video Art Festival, Venice Immersive Market Taiwan Pavilion, Festival ECRA, CineGlobe Film Festival, CYFEST Media Art Festival and International Digitalkunst Festival.
If you are interested in exhibiting or viewing this artistic VR experience, please send an email to us.
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