Oplevering van schaamte was made in cooperation with Tim van den Hoven.
A good friend, SoundDesigner, composer and 3D artist.
This Installation was exhibited at the Dutch Design Week (2022)
Oplevering van Schaamte (Delivering Shame) is a Dutch Spoken VR installation about social discomfort and awkwardness. The goal of the installation was to make the player become aware of their own awkwardness, while following a story about a man who dealt with it his entire life. This feeling of social discomfort the main character felt, will be placed upon the player. will the player supress this feeling and continue the story or let it influence them and will they remain silent and seated in the comfortable chair.
Through VR, the player is confronted with their own discomfort within social contexts and how social anxiety can hinder you in your own actions. This involves aspects such as overthinking and the fear of the (judgment) of others, resulting in acting "atypically."...
Story:
You witness the last minutes of old man Bernard, whose fear of failing at social interactions led to his isolation and the ownership of dozens of cats. Realizing that he would die alone, he regrets how he has handled the past and yearns for human interaction. No matter how awkward. Luckily he is able to make a bet with his hungry cats, which allows him to relive the awkward and regrettable moments of his past.
If he is able to ignore his social awkwardness and interact with the environment, he will die with loved ones by his side.
But, If he is not able to ignore the social awkwardness and remain hidden and fearful of the crowd, he will be eaten by his hungry cats.
But, If he is not able to ignore the social awkwardness and remain hidden and fearful of the crowd, he will be eaten by his hungry cats.
Experience:
The Player experiences the installation in a social enviroment, they are placed in a Old Leather Chair surrounded by old furniture, you will become the old man. While you sit down, others are able to observe you, but you dont know if that actually happens due to you wearing a Virtual reality headset.
In the experience people have to surrender their own social comfort to advance in the story, they have to shout, stand up, get on their knees, sing, etc. all while there is the possibility of being observed, this creates a conflict, will the player surrender their own comfort or turn more inwards and let the situation control their behavior.
This the real goal of the installation, showing the player how they react when they think they are being watched.
Through a combination of interaction, experimental VR features and storytelling. We created a amusing, immersive and kinda weird, experience. Which should make you a bit aware about your own awkwardness.
Due to the time restrictions and workload we opted for a simple style which would still be recognizable through the use of photos. These photos placed upon simple models created a uncanny style which would help the awkwardness of the experience.
These Pictures were taken at Manifestations during the Dutch Design Week (23-10-22)
