The Finalist Work
'Still Life,' 2019
Virtual reality artwork (for Oculus Quest/Rift)
By Chiara Passa
Selected by: Valentino Catricalà
'Still Life,' 2019
Virtual reality artwork (for Oculus Quest/Rift)
By Chiara Passa
Selected by: Valentino Catricalà
"Still Life" was born with the intent of investigating the processes of nature in relation to what is represented in art today through the depiction of still life.
"Still Life" is a fairy-tale narrative with surreal and metaphysical undertones. It is a still life in the form of a three-dimensional, fragmented, and vibrant painting that aims to keep the tradition of this artistic genre alive through an ontological vision that speculates on landscapes and paintings to recreate an object-oriented interactive space developed all around the viewer.
"Still Life" fits perfectly into the historical and artistic tradition of mixed immersive reality, which has its roots in the Pompeian frescoes, considered the earliest immersive works, where large trompe-l'oeil paintings projected viewers into scenes of the time. The VR work is structured like a walk through the concept of a labyrinth, where the viewer, in order to see everything from every angle, must choose some challenging paths rather than simpler ones. It is somewhat a Dantean experience, based on the idea of choosing among various possible paths, climbing up and down during a unique and unexpected walk.
"Still Life" consists of two large scenes, and to transition from one scene to another, one must let themselves fall into the void. Each scene contains about fifty virtual objects and scenarios with which the visitor can interact in various ways.
For "Still Life," I designed the virtual environments using techniques such as photogrammetry and 3D scanning. Then, I worked on the chromatic manipulation of maps and textures, creating unique metaphysical objects that, by extending themselves towards the user, move beyond their own functionality.
"Still Life" is a fairy-tale narrative with surreal and metaphysical undertones. It is a still life in the form of a three-dimensional, fragmented, and vibrant painting that aims to keep the tradition of this artistic genre alive through an ontological vision that speculates on landscapes and paintings to recreate an object-oriented interactive space developed all around the viewer.
"Still Life" fits perfectly into the historical and artistic tradition of mixed immersive reality, which has its roots in the Pompeian frescoes, considered the earliest immersive works, where large trompe-l'oeil paintings projected viewers into scenes of the time. The VR work is structured like a walk through the concept of a labyrinth, where the viewer, in order to see everything from every angle, must choose some challenging paths rather than simpler ones. It is somewhat a Dantean experience, based on the idea of choosing among various possible paths, climbing up and down during a unique and unexpected walk.
"Still Life" consists of two large scenes, and to transition from one scene to another, one must let themselves fall into the void. Each scene contains about fifty virtual objects and scenarios with which the visitor can interact in various ways.
For "Still Life," I designed the virtual environments using techniques such as photogrammetry and 3D scanning. Then, I worked on the chromatic manipulation of maps and textures, creating unique metaphysical objects that, by extending themselves towards the user, move beyond their own functionality.
Learn more about
Chiara Passa
Chiara Passa
Chiara Passa (born in Rome, 1973) is an Italian artist who has been active in digital art since 1997.
She pursued her artistic studies, attending the Artistic Lyceum in Salerno, followed by the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, and ultimately completing her studies at the Academy of Rome. She also earned a Master's degree in "New Audiovisual Media."
Chiara Passa has lived and worked in Lisbon and Milan, but currently resides and works in Rome. She is among the pioneers in Italy to utilize digital technology as a tool for artistic creation. Chiara designs her works using various mediums, including animation, video animation, and virtual reality. Her work explores the boundary between reality and the imaginary, using essential geometric forms that lead to a dynamic and three-dimensional vision of space.
Her installations engage the viewers personally, urging them to confront a different spatiality and a digital elsewhere. The concept of performance is fundamental in her works, where the space becomes autonomous and extends beyond its functionality. Among her digital art pieces designed for public spaces, "Art calling-Digital art stories" offers people the opportunity to listen to stories about digital art.
In the realm of internet art, "ideasonair.net" is conceived as an evolving conceptual work that highlights the concept of open artwork. Among her immersive reality works, "Still Life" invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a dynamic and interactive still life oriented towards objects, unexpectedly developing as a three-dimensional painting to explore.
Her installations engage the viewers personally, urging them to confront a different spatiality and a digital elsewhere. The concept of performance is fundamental in her works, where the space becomes autonomous and extends beyond its functionality. Among her digital art pieces designed for public spaces, "Art calling-Digital art stories" offers people the opportunity to listen to stories about digital art.
In the realm of internet art, "ideasonair.net" is conceived as an evolving conceptual work that highlights the concept of open artwork. Among her immersive reality works, "Still Life" invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a dynamic and interactive still life oriented towards objects, unexpectedly developing as a three-dimensional painting to explore.
Awards and recognitions
Her works have been internationally exhibited.
She has received several awards and recognitions, including:
- "econtentaward" for the best digital content (Rome, 2008)
- "ATA - art and new technologies award" (Barcelona, 2015)"