{"id":19668,"date":"2019-03-18T00:01:50","date_gmt":"2019-03-18T07:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/twomaverix.com\/?p=19668"},"modified":"2019-03-17T23:00:32","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T06:00:32","slug":"creating-worlds-of-awe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twomaverix.com\/?p=19668","title":{"rendered":"Creating Worlds of Awe"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Artist

(Photograph courtesy of Snow Mack, and used with permission.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Groundbreaking digital artist Kevin Mack uses virtual reality<\/a> to transport people into a different world–or several.<\/p>\n

And that statement barely does justice to his work.

https:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/overcoffee\/content.blubrry.com\/overcoffee\/Over_Coffee_Podcast_211_Kevin_Mack.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>

Podcast: Play in new window<\/a> | Download<\/a><\/p>

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Kevin<\/a> could be described as a scientific artist–or perhaps an artistic scientist!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In\u00a01999, he received an Academy Award for visual effects, after pioneering the digital creation of the tree in “What Dreams May Come”. \u00a0 And in 2006, UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine gave him the title of\u00a0Honorary Neuroscientist, as a result of his\u00a0research and talks on perception and visualization.<\/p>\n

But perhaps his recent virtual-reality work is the coolest yet.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin

“Zen Parade”<\/a>, by Kevin Mack, \u00a92019. \u00a0 Image used with permission.<\/p><\/div>\n

Using a spectrum of knowledge, including 3D printing and (in the case of his most complicated work) artificial intelligence, Kevin has created three VR experiences: Zen Parade, Blortasia and Anandala.<\/p>\n

Strap on the headset–and you’re in the sky, flying at a speed you control.\u00a0\u00a0 Expect to see lush, kaleidoscopic colors and evolving shapes as you explore.<\/p>\n

Zen Parade<\/a> takes you through an animated world of living sculptures, while\u00a0 Kevin’s Shape Space VR website describes Blortasia<\/a> as “a surreal maze of evolving sculptures”.<\/p>\n

\"Freeform

“Blortasia<\/a>“, by Kevin Mack, \u00a92019.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Image used with permission.<\/p><\/div>\n

And we can personally attest to the fact that Anandala<\/a> is a fantastic experience!<\/p>\n

\"Abstract

“Anandala”<\/a>, by Kevin Mack, \u00a92019. Image used with permission.<\/p><\/div>\n

Anandala allows you to travel–at your own pace–through colorful, almost liquid-looking structures and tunnels.\u00a0\u00a0 Once inside the shapes, you’ll encounter friendly living art entities. \u00a0 And you may well laugh out loud (we did!) at these denizens’ response to your presence!<\/p>\n

Kevin’s goal, in creating these three works, is to invigorate, entertain and enhance the well-being of his viewers.\u00a0\u00a0 But the medical profession has also been using his Zen Parade in two research studies.<\/p>\n

Kevin talked about his background, the experience of creating his virtual-reality art and some of the neuroscience behind the perception experience.<\/p>\n

On this edition of Over Coffee\u00ae, you will hear:<\/h5>\n