Virtual Reality Showcase

On Thursday, Nov. 13, Diane Akpovwa, VALLEY’s very own Creative Director, curated a Virtual Reality showcase at the Palmer Museum of Art. The showcase was created for the Centre Film Festival, and as the first and only VR intern, Akpovwa used her background in human-centered design and development to craft it exquisitely.

An Immersive Introduction

This free event, hosted in the lobby of Palmer, set the scene for a relaxing experience with ambient lighting. Visuals were projected onto two walls for guests to watch while they waited to engage in the virtual reality.

There were five virtual reality stations, each with their own story to tell to the public. The most in-demand session was called “Container,” which simulated being in confinement. Because of the intense experience, many were advised about the emotions it could bring to the surface, but all who went through it had nothing but positive things to say.

No Place But Here

I had the opportunity to take part in the experience titled “No Place But Here,” a fully immersive opportunity that required both VR goggles and headphones. As it was my first time trying virtual reality, I was unsure what to expect, but I was quickly introduced to it.

It opened with several anecdotes about the living situation in Woodstock, a suburb located in Cape Town, South Africa. Having so many people speak to you about their troubles allows you to empathize with their situation, as if you are talking to someone you already know.

Specifically, gentrification has forced many people out of their homes in Woodstock. With rising rents due to new residents in the area, the families that were currently residing had to be ushered out, despite the fact they might have stayed there for generations. Many of the people who had been pushed out of their homes had been forced to live in Cissie Gool House, which is an abandoned hospital. 

A Shocking Reality

Despite the fact that the hospital was not large — only around five floors — almost 1,000 people lived there because there was no other place for them to reside. The visuals depicted the eerie atmosphere in the old hospital, and how despite many people having to call it home, it was still not sterile. Large hallways and staircases seemed out of place for community living, but the gentrification did not offer them any other option.

The experience provided a perspective on a situation that many may have been unfamiliar with, and that seemed to be the trend throughout the entire showcase. Paired skillfully with great visuals and curated music, this immersive opportunity provided a fresh perspective on the current state of the world, and how it’s painfully affected by the past and choices of others. Overall, one can leave this experience with excitement for what Akpovwa has in store for the future.

How do you think you would engage in the virtual reality showcase? Let @VALLEYmag know on X!

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