Exploring Identity and Empathy Through Immersive Storytelling: Library of Ourselves & CíCLIC
Art, technology, and human perception converged in an innovative event at ESPRONCEDA Institute of Art & Culture, exploring the intersections of immersive storytelling, audiovisual performance, and performing arts through new technologies. This event featured two pioneering works: Library of Ourselves and CíCLIC, each offering distinct yet complementary artistic experiences.
Library of Ourselves
Library of Ourselves was introduced as a participatory workshop developed within the European Theatre Lab. Built on The Machine To Be Another technology, this interactive platform enabled the creation and experience of immersive and embodied 360° VR films. Participants could step into the perspective of storytellers, experiencing their narratives firsthand. Maintaining the tactile engagement characteristic of The Machine To Be Another, the system ensured that immersion extended beyond the visual realm into a holistic sensory experience.
During the workshop, attendees explored the artistic research behind Library of Ourselves and engaged in an interactive mixed-performance experience that blended reality with virtual environments. This embodied interaction offered new insights into identity, empathy, and the perception of self and others.
The Library of Ourselves collection consists of 12 VR films recorded in locations such as the Netherlands, Spain, Colombia, Brazil, and Jordan. These works address pressing social issues, including immigration, xenophobia, racism, gender bias, and police violence. At ESPRONCEDA, participants experienced two impactful VR films:
- Victimario: A docudrama created in collaboration with victims of Colombia’s paramilitary conflict, offering a unique perspective on forgiveness and peace-building.
- SOS Racism: A docudrama presenting four real-life stories of young Muslims facing everyday social prejudice in Barcelona.
BeAnotherLab, the interdisciplinary art-science research collective behind Library of Ourselves, explores the relationship between identity and empathy. By developing immersive technological systems, the group generates new storytelling methods that allow individuals to experiment with the perception of self and others. Their work bridges technology and human experience, offering audiences deeply personal narrative engagements.
CíCLIC
CíCLIC was presented as a live audiovisual performance that investigated the relationship between simple frequencies and complex behaviors. By transforming space through the interplay of light and sound, the performance created an immersive environment that evoked a range of emotions in the audience.
The visual research in CíCLIC stemmed from a minimalist approach to laser light, emphasizing its monochromatic and narrow-beam properties. Despite its technical complexity, laser light was distilled to its simplest form: a single point and a single color. This approach mirrored the auditory aspect of the performance, where pure synthetic tones emphasized the physical properties of sound and its intrinsic connection to light and space.
ÍNFIM
ÍNFIM is an audiovisual project by artist and creative coder Ferran Belmon. His work spans various media, including installations, projections, and performances, utilizing a wide range of technological tools to experiment with light, sound, and space. His artistic research focuses on creating unique and innovative experiences that challenge audience perceptions.
This event offered participants a hybrid experience that blended the real and the virtual, exploring the potential of virtual reality and live audiovisual performance. Through these immersive experiences, attendees were invited to challenge their perceptions and engage with narratives that expanded their understanding of human connection and sensory perception.
