Digital Evolution

Work created by Gwen Stevenson with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Artist’s Digital Evolution Award. Working with Unity Games Engine, Projection Mapping & Motion Capture software to create a site specific installation that provides the visitor with an accessible immersive experience without the need for wearing headsets, entering dark spaces or following complicated menus. This digital media coexists within the same physical light space as the more traditional media responding to and reflecting it. It is not a separate entity in a darkened black box. The exhibition also gives a personal insight into the creative process, the evolution of a work and questions the role of visitor as passive viewer or active participant.

About the Project

Medium:

Site Specific Installation: Immersive Projection & Sound

▪ 2 * Panasonic projectors using LED/laser-combined light source.

▪ 2 * Raspberry Pi Microcomputers to video loop the projection files

▪ Reams of light grey voile to create the illusion of 3D space

▪ Resolume Projection Mapping Software

▪ Sound System. Looped DVD, Amplifier, Speakers Description

Venue: Oriel Gallery, Antrim Castle Gardens, Upstairs Space

Date Exhibited: January – March 2023

Description:

I used multiple projectors and projection mapping software, Resolume, to create an immersive creative and social experience that was accessible and inclusive.

This piece was inspired by the principles of calm technology which is the practice of designing technology to be as unnoticeable as possible, the participant does not have to jump through hoops to engage. There are no distracting screens, intimidating learning curves, following complex menus, downloading apps or wearing headsets.

I achieved this by creating a site-specific installation, that responded to both the space and the work of 4 other artists showing in traditional media in the gallery space. Ephemeral words were projected onto transparent material into the atrium open space so that they appeared three dimensional. An ambient soundscape of the work added another dimension.

This work was developed with the support of the ACNI Individual Artists Digital Evolution Award 20/21 that afforded me creative time and financial resources to evolve my digital arts practice and up-skill in augmented reality, physical computing, motion capture equipment, projection mapping, as well as coding and games development software.

Digital Evolution

Digital Evolution: Accessible, Inclusive Immersive Technology

Digital Evolution is an immersive arts project supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Individual Digital Evolution Award. The project explores Projected Augmented Reality (AR) and motion capture technology to create accessible, inclusive, and interactive experiences. Designed to break down barriers to immersive arts, it offers an experience that requires no complex devices, apps, or screens and is suitable for audiences of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

This new work by Gwen Stevenson was featured as part of Insight, a collaborative exhibition at The Oriel Gallery, Clotworthy House, Antrim Castle Gardens. The exhibition brought together five established visual artists and a writer to give visitors personal insights into each creative process and the evolution of the works. The interplay between artists—spanning painting, drawing, glass, stone carving, digital media, and poetic response—was further enhanced by an immersive soundscape that tied the individual works into a cohesive experience.

Reimagining Immersive Technology

As part of Insight, Digital Evolution explored the interplay between new media, such as Unity Game Engine technology, projection mapping software, and motion capture equipment, to create an interactive and immersive environment. The use of obsolete Microsoft Kinect equipment was a deliberate choice, aligning with the artist’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. By repurposing existing technologies, the project demonstrated the potential of reuse and recycling in reducing costs and environmental impact while maintaining high-quality creative outcomes.

Calm Technology: Immersion Without Distraction

In line with the principles of calm technology, Digital Evolution created an immersive experience that was subtle and unobtrusive. Participants engaged directly with the installation without the need for headsets or complex interfaces, fostering a connection to the physical space. Using projection mapping, the digital content was seamlessly integrated into the environment, creating an experience that was both accessible and inclusive.

The Impact of Digital Evolution

Digital Evolution successfully demonstrated how Projected AR and motion capture can enhance accessibility in immersive art. By eliminating common barriers to entry, the project enabled participants to engage with digital content in an intuitive and inclusive way. Within the group exhibition context of Insight, this exploration of technology complemented and connected with the diverse artistic practices on display, creating a shared environment that engaged audiences through multiple sensory modalities.

A Foundation for Future Exploration

As part of Insight, Digital Evolution highlighted the potential of immersive technology to expand accessibility in participatory art while emphasizing sustainability through the use of repurposed equipment. While the project achieved its aim of creating an accessible and inclusive experience, it also identified opportunities for deeper integration of the technologies used. These insights will inform future development, ensuring that immersive art continues to evolve, fostering innovation and engagement while remaining sustainable and inclusive.