METANOIA — VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION

SPRING 2023 / IMMERSIVE DESIGN / UNREAL ENGINE 5, TOUCHDESIGNER, ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR & PHOTOSHOP

A virtual exhibition that explores the process of self-transformation through generative art

  • Connection room wide view
  • The Spark room wide view
  • Discovery room wide view
  • Breakthrough room wide view
  • Main room, view of main information panel
  • Breakthrough room, view of three doors
  • The spark room
  • Discovery room, facing door to breakthrough room
  • Connection room facing left
  • The spark room
  • Main room, view of main panel and door to discovery room
  • Connection room facing right
  • View of door to connection room
  • Main room, view of two doors
  • The spark room wide view

IDEATION

Around three years ago, while listening to music, I came up with the idea of an immersive space using moving visuals. In my mind, this space would take a person completely out of their world and place them into a new environment. At the time, I tried to learn how to create generative art like the visions I saw in my mind, but I quickly fell out of it.

It wasn’t until this past fall when I was reminded of my original idea. When in Denmark, I came across this amazing art installation by Jakub Kudsk Steensen called Berl-Berl in the ARoS museum. For my capstone project to complete my BS in Graphic Design, I decided to bring my visions to life.

Due to the constraints of the space and equipment I have access to at this time, I decided to create a virtual exhibition inside of the video gaming platform Unreal Engine. To create the visuals, in the visual programming language TouchDesigner. The process of creating this exhibition was itself a kind of metanoia. It came to life through many hours of research, YouTube tutorials, and frustration.

PROMOTIONAL POSTERS

CHANGE OF MIND

Most of us have experienced a period of significant change in our lives, accompanied by feelings of uncertainty, confusion, and apprehension. But disrupting old patterns and letting go of limiting beliefs are the ways in which we grow and gain new perspectives. Life functions through evolution. 

Ancient Greeks called this time of transition metanoia — μετάνοια, meaning “change of mind” in literal form. It describes an opening and understanding that leads to self-transformation. It is a boundless awakening beyond reason. What leads a person to metanoia? Psychology describes the process as one of spontaneous breakdown and subsequent healing. 

No one person experiences metanoia the same. Similarly, this exhibition does not force any one type of experience on visitors, but everyone is encouraged to submerge into the environment and leave hesitations at the door.

THE EXHIBITION

I explore metanoia through four main concepts: the spark, connection, breakdown, and discovery. The visuals in each room branching off of the main room are tied to one of these concepts.

VIDEO RENDERS

THE SPARK — ROOM

The spark of transformation is enigmatic, constantly evolving, yet capable of bringing about profound changes. It pulls you out of your habituations, sheds light on new possibilities, and propels you towards a better future.

BREAKTHROUGH — ROOM

Breakthrough uses the Perlin curl noise function to generate organic movement in three dimensions. It energizes at the same time that it soothes. During a time of change, life can feel chaotic and confusing, but suddenly everything can fall into place.

DISCOVERY — ROOM

Discovery pulls in energy and pulses out in different directions. It lights up new possibilities and creates beauty from chaos. On the journey of self-transformation, you are free to rebuild and explore new territory. 

CONNECTION — ROOM

Connection is a painting of overlapping lava-like textures of noise. Although each particle moves individually, each impacts the movement of all the rest, creating an ever-changing pattern. We live unique lives only fully known to ourselves, but as a collective, we weave individual paths in an infinite fabric of experience.

WALK THROUGH

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