UN/SEEN

Un/Seen is a live performance on a social VR immersive web domain. It is built on the Immers.Space webXR platform. The public can login and interact with Tiffany Trenda in real time while she is broadcasting live from her studio. During the performance, the artist reacts to guest conversations, emojis, and chats. Guests can select from a group of custom avatars to embody in the VR space. They can keep those avatars to use on Mozilla Hubs or Immers.Space. The work is a hybrid of holographic, physical, and animation. 

With new advancements in immersive technologies, we are experiencing alternate realties. This creates a detachment from our physical world, a disembodiment. That is, we are physically existing in one space while simultaneously in a virtual one. This leads us to dissociate from our bodies because we shift between the simulation and our reality. Furthermore, our presence is mediated and transported into another space that doesn't actually exist. We are in essence, seen and unseen.

In addition, these new technologies also blur the role of the user and creator by allowing both parties to change the experience. That is, the spectator is no longer passive but a collaborator in shaping the experience. Also, all parties are represented as avatars and further creates ambiguity.  This leads to questions of identity. This shows the current societal atmosphere of uncertainty about our future, where traditional hierarchies and roles may no longer be relevant. 

Un/Seen is a collaboration with artist Tiffany Trenda, dulce303, and composer Joseph Bishara. It was a commissioned artwork from DIVERSEartLA for the 2021 edition of LA Art Show, curated by Marisa Caichiolo.