About
This version of the work focuses on the use of a VR headset, which allows the viewer to completely focus on the art asterisms. Planned as "a sit and spin app", each of the asterisms can be viewed easily by turning the head left and right and up and down. It is also possible to use the pointing features of the head set to learn more about the asterisms: what artwork was the basis of it, if it is in space and how it got there. The title of the work is the last sentence from Kurt Vonegut's short story, "The Big Space Fuck" and sums the irony that the countdown is not for a rocket that is off to the moon, but for a planet that is doomed to die.
Process
This stage makes uses of the asterisms by transforming them from 2D images into a 3D objects. Once in the 3D form, the objects will be introduced into a VR environment that mimics zero gravity space so that the all of the objects will appear as floating freely in space. By floating the objects in a virtual zero gravity space, it becomes possible to give each of the object an orbit specific to the object itself and also one that is shared between all of the objects.
For example, an object will have its own rotational orbit so that the viewer is able to view it from all of its sides and it will be part of an orbit that circles around the viewer of the work. In this manner, the viewer is immersed into a galaxy of constellations which subject to constant change and endless variation as the rotation unfolds on the two different orbital planes.
Technically, the work is presented as a "sit and spin" VR work using a simple VR Headset such as Oculus Rift. Here, the viewer approaches the stand on which the viewer is placed, takes it and places it over his eyes, clicks the start button using the pointing devices to begin the viewing. The constellations appear a 360 degree circle around the viewer, who can turn his head to explore the galaxy gallery and discover each of the artworks that make of the galaxy.
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| Simple Mock Up Experience using a VR Headset |
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A rough and simple mock up animation of the VR version of the work. In comparison ti the actual artwork, this version has less
resolution and uses 2D and not3D objects. In the actual version, each of the object is in 3D, is rotating in orbit on its own axis, and is orbiting with all objects around the viewer. Using the VR tool, the viewer can click on a cluster to open a info on that particular star cluster.