HTC VIVE, Art Basel’s Official Virtual Reality Partner, is delighted to announce the first public presentation of two virtual reality artworks by Marina Abramović and Anish Kapoor from 29-31 March 2018 at Art Basel in Hong Kong.
Rising by Marina Abramović and Into Yourself, Fall by Anish Kapoor are produced in collaboration with Acute Art and will be shown on VR’s most immersive products, Vive Pro and Vive Focus in the HTC Vive Lounge, Level 3 Concourse at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Marina Abramović and Anish Kapoor are two of the most acclaimed contemporary artists working today, recognised for their iconic works that have continually challenged and inspired audiences worldwide. These works mark the first time either artist has realised an artwork using virtual reality technology.
Vive’s partnership with Art Basel in Hong Kong will bring a one-of-a-kind integrated VR experience to the fair’s visitors in Hong Kong. A first for Vive, visitors will be able to explore both artists’ works at the fair as well as experience it at home through VIVEPORT, the leading VR app store. HTC has a long-standing commitment to the arts, and created a global program, Vive Arts, to advance the world’s appreciation and creation of the arts through the latest technology.
Marina Abramović’s Rising addresses the effects of climate change by transporting viewers to witness rising sea levels. Wearing an immersive headset, viewers enter an intimate virtual space, where they come face-to-face with the artist, who beckons from within a glass tank that is slowly filling with water from her waist to her neck.
Abramović’s pioneering performance career has centered around time-based work, which uses both hers and the public’s body as a canvas. She has continually pushed the boundaries with durational work that has defined contemporary performance. With Rising, the artist’s presence is brought into another dimension.
To produce the artwork, Acute Art developers captured the artist’s unique facial expressions to create a realistic looking avatar of Abramović. Embracing new technology in an endeavor to transmit the presence of the artist virtually, Rising allows users to directly interact with the artist virtually from anywhere in the world.
If you are in Hong Kong and would like to register to attend this experience please click here.