The theoretical issues of cyberspace and virtual reality in the context of the artistic practice of Patricia Piccinini, Cao Fei, Julie Bartholomew and.

The theoretical issues of cyberspace and virtual reality in the context

of the artistic practice of Patricia Piccinini, Cao Fei,

Julie Bartholomew and Kim Simonsson.

by Emilka Radlinska

Master of Philosophy (Ceramics) candidate

e2rceramics.com

emilka.radlinska@gmail.com

Cyberspace:

The notional environment within which electronic communication occurs, esp.

when represented as the inside of a computer system; space perceived as such

by an observer but generated by a computer system and having no real existence; the

space of virtual reality.

Oxford English Dictionary: http://dictionary.oed.com/ (accessed 28th February, 2008)

Metaverse:

Describes the vision behind current work on fully immersive 3D virtual spaces. These are

environments where humans interact (as avatars) with each other (socially and economically) and with

software agents in a cyber space, that uses the metaphor of the real world, but without its physical

limitations.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaverse(accessed 28th Feb 2008)

[ps. Not listed in the Oxford or Cambridge Dictionaries]

Virtual:Computers. Not physically existing as such

but made by software to appear to do so from the point of view of the program or the user;

Also in more general use, esp. in virtual reality, a notional image or environment

generated by computer software, with which a user can interact realistically […]

Oxford English Dictionary: http://dictionary.oed.com/ (accessed 2nd March, 2008)

http://secondlife.com/

Key theoretical issues:

• What makes escape into virtual reality so popular and desirable?

• What is real and what is natural?

• How does cyberspace affect the self and identity?

• Is a virtual community a real community?

New Jerusalem

“Apocalypse At Angers” tapestry (detail) depicting the Heavenly City of the New Jerusalem coming down out of the skies. Image: www.castles.org

The Emerald City of OZ

Image: www.wizardrealm.com

Cao Fei (left) her avatar, China Tracy (right)

Image: http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2007/07/this-is-truly-c.html#more

Image: artist’s website, http://www.caofei.com/biography.html

Machinima:

Machine Cinema is a collection of associated production techniques where by computer generated imagery is rendered using real-time interactive 3D

engines, such as those of games.

The real-time nature of machinima means that established techniques from traditional film-making

can be reapplied in a virtual environment.

China Tracy Pavilion at the 52nd Venice Biennale, 2007

China Pavilion theme:

“Everyday Miracles”

iMirror part 2

Conversation between Hug Yue (Ed Mead) and China Tracy (Cao Fei)

Panopticon

New World Notes

A virtual newspaper/blog by editor James Wagner AU. http://nwn.blogs.com/

Albrecht Dürer, Adam and Eve,1504, engraving, 24.8 x 19.2 cm

Film still: The Martix (Neo disconnected from the metaverse)

nature and natural

nature (LIFE) (noun [U])all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the

features, forces and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea,

mountains, reproduction and growth

natural (adjective)1 as found in nature and not involving anything made or done

by people.

natural (EXPECTED) (adjective) normal or expected

Cambridge Advanced Learner's dictionary: http://dictionary.cambridge.org

Patricia Piccinini

Protein Lattice - Subset Blue, 1997, digital c-type photograph, 80x80cm

Plasticology, 1997 - 2000, image: http://www.patriciapiccinini.net/

“Swell”, 2000 - 2002, Multi-screen DVD installation, dimensions variable. Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, 2002.

Image from artist’s website: http://www.patriciapiccinini.net/

“Swell”, (detail), 2000 - 2002, Multi-screen DVD installation, dimensions variable. Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, 2002.

Image from artist’s website: http://www.patriciapiccinini.net/

Julie Bartholomew

Double Click, 2002

Kim Simonsson

“Protection”, 2003. Ceramics, Silvered Glass, Polyester Filler, Car Paint. Image: artist’s website: http://www.kimsimonsson.com/portfolio.php

The theoretical issues of cyberspace and virtual reality in the context

of the artistic practice of Patricia Piccinini, Cao Fei,

Julie Bartholomew and Kim Simonsson.

by Emilka Radlinska

Master of Philosophy (Ceramics) candidate

e2rceramics.com

emilka.radlinska@gmail.com