Interactive installation which uses mixed reality technology to offer spectators a journey through the morphology of contemporary cities.
Mixed Reality refers to the incorporation of virtual computer graphics objects into a real three dimensional scene, or alternatively the inclusion of elements from the real world in a virtual environment. There are three characteristics that are integral to a mixed reality interface. First, it combines the real and the virtual environment. Second, it is interactive in real time. Third, it is recorded in three dimensions.
To create our Mixed Reality experience via the city, we used a puzzle as a simple interface, comprising 4 square pieces printed on both sides that can be combined to generate several different geometric compositions. Each of those combinations (geometric patterns) takes the spectator to a different part of the complex, subjective architecture of the three-dimensional city which we have previously designed.
The choice of a puzzle as an interface for this project was motivated by the fact that we see this element as a fragmented system consisting of interchangeable pieces. The contemporary cities are shown to us as a space composed of fragments connected by communications networks. Our intention in using this interface was to create a metaphorical connection between the object and the content of the work.
Basically this representation of a contemporary city is composed of communications networks that connect different areas: work, shopping, sports, leisure, etc. In this complex architecture of roads, streets, and information channels, we have placed various parks that act as the vertebrating elements of leisure and social relations that occur in the city. This is represented by a pre-recorded 360º digital video of squares and gardens in Valencia ( Spain ).
In the most common Mixed Reality scenario, the user wears a Head Mounted Display (HMD) through which he views the real world, on which we superimpose virtual objects. In this installation we used a video projector that allows several people to make this journey and share experiences at the same time.
