About Project
Client: Michael Gosney, Digital Be-In
Subject: Virtual Reality Community Event Space
Period: 2007
The Virtual Be-In was an online virtual reality community event space and interactive “Earth Temple” featured at the 15th annual Digital Be-In event in San Francisco, on Earth Day weekend. A Biomimicry Symposium was streamed into the virtual even space, and many of the exhibits, presentation content, and elements of the real-world event were be represented in the Virtual Be-In space. Other event features were unique to the Virtual Be-In, including guest DJs from far lands and guest presenters. Video clips from the life event were be uploaded and interaction between attendees at both events marked the experience.
My Task
I was invited to co-create the Virtual Be-In in the Second Life platform. In collaboration with producer Michael Gosney, Bob Ketner (in-world producer) and Studio SFO, I was engaged as art director. I designed much the layout of the virtual space, constructed virtual architectures, programmed interactive sculptures, and resourced and applied artistic textures. This involved the conception and construction of an interactive “Earth Temple” that included transparent glass mandala windows, a rotating earth globe, and multi-colored “singing” crystals emitting musical sounds when touched.
Result
The Virtual Be-In was featured before a live audience of hundreds at the Digital Be-in 15 event, while it simultaneously hosted an unknown number of virtual visitors from around the world.
- on-line virtual event world with interactive temple