Immersify, which is a research project financed by the European Commission in Horizon 2020, develops key tools for allowing the next generation of immersive media applications and interactive content. The research focuses on advanced video compression tailored for the need for VR video. This HEVC compression with necessary extensions makes possible to deliver and display the huge files that will appear as a result of increased resolution, frame rate, color gamut, dynamic range and better image formats. Advanced video codecs need to be optimized and customized for VR applications and content. The goal of the project is to integrate the technologies required for making high-quality live events with VR video, which requires the integration of real-time encoders, media servers, streaming solutions, and media players. Missing technologies and applications will be developed based on the technology challenges and new devices appearing on the market.
Immersive Minimalism
In the proposed project “Immersive Minimalism” the artist wants to investigate the mechanisms of immersion and its basic principles through a series of custom-developed studies established on theories of perception that aim at (re-)defining methods of immersion. Based on these findings she wants to create an immersive environment called “vibrant matter” of micro-macro landscapes with real UHD video footage in combination with digital generative graphics.
Theresa Schubert
Theresa Schubert is an artist and finished a Ph.D. in Media Arts from the Bauhaus University Weimar. A key element in her artistic practice is the experiment, whereas she exceeds traditional boundaries of the visual arts by including new technologies and life sciences. This manifests in various media, from video, photography and performance to algorithmic installations as well as drawings.
Her work has been exhibited internationally, ia. Ars Electronica Linz, ArtLaboratory Berlin, KW-Kunstwerke Berlin, Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Istanbul Biennial, European Media Art Festival, Museum Villa Roth.
The result of this residency under the title ‘Immersive Minimalism’ was the production of a 10-minute digital film ‘Always Dead and Alive’ in 8K and 4K resolution with 5.1 surround sound. The project investigates modes of perception through creating minimalistic video scenarios that challenge our awareness of time and space. By adapting Cellular Automata, a set of rules often used for simulations of patterns in nature and physical behaviours, the team combined research on the evolution of patterns in nature and self-organisation of forms with generative video. Surprisingly complex behaviours appear when all 33 Mio. pixels on screen become alive as individual interacting agents within a set network.
