Joanne Popinska (Polish-Canadian XR creator and curator) and Weronika Lewandowska (Polish XR creator and curator) are hard at work as autumn draws to a close. After participating in the production of several European events (including the latest DOK Leipzig edition), in a few days’ time they will be inaugurating Embodied Realms, a new festival in Poland. A country that doesn’t get a lot of attention in the immersive ecosystem, yet which boasts a wealth of talent in digital creation. Here’s an overview of Year 1, in a very busy schedule for the two programmers.
Cover: PSNC Future Labs in Poznań
Embodied Realms is an event funded with the help of European subsidies. A festival conceived in a limited time window, it is a foretaste of what Joanne and Weronika can offer in the country. For this first edition, a partnership has been set up with a very dynamic venue for digital creation: the PSNC Future Labs in Poznań, a venue at the crossroad of art and science. Foundation Virtual Horizons (founded by Joanne Popinska) Foundation Plateaux from Warsaw Will serve as coproducers.
There are many festivals encouraging XR creation, yet we’re still a small ecosystem. That’s why Weronika and I wanted to create a new specialized event with a strong focus on our two areas of expertise: narrative XR and performance art.
Joanne Popinska, co-founder and co-curator
The initial program has been re-evaluated in light of the acceleration of programming, and during the visit to the Art*VR festival in Prague. Rebecca Evans’ HINTERLANDS, the winner of the grand prize for collective and participative art, will be presented at Embodied Realms. It’s a particularly stimulating piece of work, based on augmented realities, which could spark discussions for the Polish community. The festival will also feature FUTURE PRESENCE by Iza Szostak, IN ARM’S REACH by Katja Rempel & Felix Herbst. Krzysztof Syruć (Proembrion) will also be making VR-based graffiti.
The selection is an ode to the participatory aspect of XR, exploring the future of the medium through hybrid works (in particular via VRChat) that are as close as possible to artistic practice. And to be able to confront virtual worlds with in situ experiences. The intention is also to attract Polish creative professionals and evangelise around the medium.
On the professional side, the intention is clearly to develop the national network, and train Polish artists in these new practices. Krzysztof Syruć is an artist navigating between virtual worlds, more concrete experiences or NFT, who will be performing live graffiti during the festival.
The aim is to break down the barriers between physical and virtual environments, to bring a new perspective to the public, and to blend realities. A new look at XR content, with performance, to demonstrate the importance of these new practices.
Weronika Lewandowska, co-founder and co-curator
The goal for a second year of Embodied Realms? Still to stimulate XR creation, but to join another, more recognized event likely to welcome projects and professionals from the sector. By playing as a team, and pooling resources, Embodied Realms will grow even stronger.
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