Goodbye 2023! It was a year were we saw new XR releases, reviewed and interviewed creators, reflected on AI and how this influences our work. TechvangArt witness possibilities of CITY XR Entertainment, and we had a glimpse for the future of XR broadcasting. We also started to discover more the… Space, but also have a glimpse into China. This was the best of 2023. Happy New Year and See you in 2024 to discover more!
AI – Reflections: AI ANTHROPOMORPHISM. PLAYING GOD: COPY-PASTE OF HUMANS ?!
It was the year when AI hit the headlines, and as such we started to reflect on AI, art, culture and creativity
In times when AI is changing the world and our day-to-day life, the question is why so many creators, writers, scientists, or businesses anthropomorphized AI – gave them a human, body and face, emotion and affection?
For a long time, humans were fascinated by the idea of creating new forms of life, but does it have to be something that mimics humans?
And what are the consequences and ethical implications?
We went back in time to search for the first dreamers (such as Leonardo da Vinci or Mary Shelly) to contemporary fiction or research such as related to consciousness, with the question in our mind: is this the direction and development humanity should take?
Read our full article here: LINK
2023 witnessed new XR story-led experiences, some of them we reviewed or we talked with the directors. Here are few that we think you will be able to see them in future festivals:
Over the rainbow, directed by Craig Quintero
“Over the Rainbow” is definitely an atypical experience – without a linear story or “moral,” but a constant experience, where the creator plays with the spaces and with the concept of anti-space and atemporality, that constantly transform themselves, bringing to light different scenarios, and provoking you with different emotions.
What captivated us about the experience was the fascinating multimodal exploration of different possibilities of expression – by how the space was altered by adding and juxtaposing different elements. The play of light and shadow offered potential transformations, while visual and auditory architectures were continuously explored and developed in an atemporal crescendo play.
TechvangArt discussed with director Craig Quintero about his vision for making the experiences, the challenges he faced in curating and directing in #VR, but also about his time in Taipei, his next project, and… with whom he would not want to be compared to.. 🙂
Read our full Dialogue here: LINK
SEN – directed by Keisuke Itoh
A different kind of Japanese tea ceremony! One with a distinct flavour, where its savour is enhanced by remarkable visuals, that will lift your spirit. “SEN” a multiplayer VR animation, presented at Venice Biennale 2023, Venice Immersive, is an outstanding experience – playful, reviving and meditative – where you can rediscover yourself, and at the same time, share the joy of this journey alongside other people.
From the start, the three guests are invited into a special tea-house. Once you take off your shoes, and sit comfortably on the small pillow, the already hi-tech tea pots herald a different kind of experience.
The user is immersed in the traditional Japanese Ritual, holding a black Raku tea bowl in the tea house called Tai-an, both national treasures of Japan.
COMFORTLESS – directed by Gina Kim
There are histories that we dislike and we want to forget. But we should not. ”COMFORTLESS”, presented at Venice Biennale 2023, Venice Immersive, tells such a story that humanity should always remember: the stories of ‘US military comfort women’.
A conscious effort to bury part of South Korean history: the stories of women that were stationed in towns and forced into prostitution for US soldiers, with the complicity of authorities. A reality and history that is even today repressed in Korean society, is brought to life through ”COMFORTLESS”. Because these stories should not be wiped-out of humanity’s collective memories, even if these memories are… comfortless.
The VR experience, ”COMFORTLESS”, introduces us to a powerful artistic narrative that forces a deep reflection on historical tendencies to minimize and ignore the suffering inflicted on victims of military interventions.
The VR experience is inspired by the stories of the so-called “US military comfort women’.
Read TechvangArt Review: LINK
XR in Japan
We discovered the innovation from Japan this year, through the lens of one of the innovative creative platform, STYLY, by Psychic VR
How can you imagine the future of Entertainment: What about…
Walking through a City-Aquarium? Deploying in a few clicks an AR creation in the middle of Tokyo? And discussing about the Future of XR Creations and ways that can bring Value and Economic Development to Cities. Changing AR experiences just like you change TV channels? We’ve made a trip to Japan to find out more about STYLY and the future of CITY XR Entertainment!
TechvangArt interview the Masahiro Yamaguchi, CEO and Co-Founder, about company’s vision
Read TechvangArt dialogue: LINK 
TechvangArt witnessed the first AIr Race X – where top world’s pilots competed in digital rounds- and saw the potential for a new era in entertainment. The real-life racing had a digital add-on, and presented in a new-format of Phygital AR event. We saw the race, and we interviewed with AIR Race champion, Yoshihide Muroya:
Read TechvangArt Review: https://techvangart.com/2023/10/18/xr-broadcast-media-first-air-race-x-in-shibuya/
To read more about STYLY and CITY XR Entertainment:
https://techvangart.com/2023/10/29/transforming-space-into-media-styly/
XR in China?
If you wondered what is happening in China, we have a guest writer, Ashley Dudarenok is a Chinese serial entrepreneur, award winning digital expert and book author to have more insights about the Metaverse:
Futurist Workoscope
Well, we continued our spyglass series about what the future will bring to Creatives – Don’t take them too seriously 🙂
ShapeShifting Experts with there many faces are still gaining notoriety
Also, we visited a Toxic Green Land, and through time tunnels we saw how it changed the mafia of Wonder-Liars-Greedy-Network to become a truly Green Paradise. There is still an open position there open: CHIEF LEAF TICKLER- SOUND CREATOR 😀
SPACE Attractions
Nonfiction Design turns science fiction into reality for a better future with the goal to innovate in multidisciplinary teams, use constantly novel technology. And the innovations are mostly related to Space. Space offers opportunities for all industries, and 50 years from now every industry will have a foot in space, and 100 years from now, humans will travel in space. At SXSW 2023, Nonfiction Design presented some of their Product Innovations and how they relate to both Space and Earth.
Read here some of our favourites, such as: Orbital University, ideas about Food, Health or Sleep in Space
https://techvangart.com/2023/03/23/designing-between-earth-and-space/
Fashion As a Manifesto
We discovered NTZNS, and we were intrigued by the mix of the curation of fashion items, the provocative manifesto of NTZNS and co-creation aspect of the comunity, we decided to talk with Co-founder and CEO, Costantino Roselli about the Future of Fashion, the mix between virtual and AI, co-creation projects, but also about…. AI Stylists
Read TechvangArt Dialogue LINK