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Installations, Exhibitions
SIAT researchers present works at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Three projects by School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT) researchers will be featured at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre's Cosmic Nights: Humans in Space event on Thursday, November 23, 2023.
At the Cosmic Nights: Humans in Space event, guests can deep dive into topics about space and engage in science demonstrations. One topic under exploration at the Space Centre is how astronauts adapt to long periods of isolation away from our home planet.
The event will feature projects, lectures, and demonstrations by PhD students Noah Miller, John Desnoyers-Stewart, and alum Mily Mumford. Learn more about their works:
Awedyssey isolation experiment | presented by Noah Miller
At Cosmic Nights, SIAT PhD candidate Noah Miller will present and run part of the Awedyssey isolation experiment in the Planetarium Star Theatre.
Awedyssey is a project created by a team of researchers in SIAT's iSpace Lab: Noah Miller, John Desnoyers-Stewart, Katerina Stepanova, Ashu Adhikari, Bernahrd Riecke, Patrick Pennefather, Alexandra Kitson, and Denise Quesnel.
Awedyssey was developed as a sensory deprivation countermeasure experience in virtual reality. In the creation of Awedyssey, the researchers considered the ways in which access to nature and feelings of connection are critical for mental health and wellbeing. Through Awedyssey, they explore the capacity of technology to offer these experiences to those who lack access to nature and human connection, like astronauts in space.
Star-Stuff | demonstration by John Desnoyers-Stewart
PhD candidate John Desnoyers-Stewart, who was also part of the Awedyssey experiment, will be running a virtual reality station where guests can try out his immersive experience called Star-Stuff. This station is part of the Space Centre's newest exhibit.
Star-Stuff is a hybrid virtual reality artwork created to remind immersants of their fundamental connection to humanity and the universe.
Brought together remotely using VR headsets or in a co-present installation, immersants float through space while their hands are transformed into a myriad of constellations. At the same time, stars emanate from the user’s heart and orbit the user’s body in a cosmic dance.
Through the immersive experience, users can move about and play with the stars to form a galaxy unique to their movements. When a new immersant joins the experience, gravitational effects draw the stars towards each individual forming a new collaborative and dynamic sculpture in the night sky.
Astronaut Isolation | lecture by Mily Mumford
Mily Mumford is a writer, filmmaker, theatre creator, and scientist based in Vancouver BC. After completing their Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Victoria, Mily completed a Master of Science in Interactive Technology at SIAT where they worked on virtualized health systems for long term space travel. Their production company, Nebula Company, focuses on immersive theatre, film, and new media with a political, science fiction lens.
Mumford will present on their thesis research in which they conducted a literature review and interviewed retired astronauts to develop the RIPLEE Design Guidelines for the creation of a virtual reality system to support mental health in deep space. These guidelines are based on protective factors identified and how they could be supported using VR.