These are exciting times – we are truly at the birth of a new creative medium and we believe that as part of this process we should not only showcase and celebrate the work, but we should explore it meaningfully.

Join us for an evening of fascinating talks and discussion that will explore VR as an emerging art form in its own right. Together, we will get stuck into the challenge of understanding VR experiences critically. The discussion will be chaired by Pervasive Media Studio resident Catherine Allen, curator of the Limina VR Weekender, who will be joined by a range of world leading VR experts to share with you their critical toolkit for ‘reading’ VR.

This promises to be a fascinating start to the Limina VR Weekender.

The Panelists

Jen Stein is a design researcher who examines the implications of emerging technologies by designing for and speculating about near future interactions. Her research and design work explores ambient storytelling, augmented and virtual reality, design fiction, and experience design. Jen is currently Watershed Professor of Design Futures at the University of the West of England and a Resident at the Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol.

Mitch Turnbull is an award-winning Producer/Director with over twenty years experience in the feature film and television industry. She has produced and directed factual programmes for broadcasters and studios including Disneynature, PBS, NHK, BBC, National Geographic and Discovery. She recently made a 360 experience, 'Growing A World Wonder' for the UN and two 360/VR experiences, 'Cat Flight' and 'Oogie', for BBC Earth and Oculus.

John Durrant is a multi award winning Director at digital agency BDH and sister company BDH Immersive. BDH and BDH Immersive are a pioneering creative team in Bristol with BAFTA, D&AD, Royal Television Society, Grammy and Emmy Award recognitions. Johns directs commercials, short documentaries, brand design work, visual effects animation, virtual and augmented reality projects.

Verity McIntosh leads on Watershed's growing programme of virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences, including the establishment of the new Bristol VR Lab. She is Managing Producer at multi-disciplinary R&D hub, the Pervasive Media Studio where she curates a vibrant mix of projects and events, working closely with a community of over 100 Studio residents.

Tessa Ratuszynska is an artist working in Documentary, Film and Installation, and a Creative Producer for VR and AR experiences, interactive games, performance, installation and immersive live art events. Tessa has curated, programmed and managed virtual reality spaces at festivals and events including Sheffield Doc Fest’s VR Campfire and Open City Doc Fest. Her most recent and continued collaboration is as Creative Producer to Artist Jane Gauntlett, and the VR piece for two- Intimacy which premiered at Sheffield Doc Fest 2017.

Please read our Guidelines and FAQs about taking part in a Virtual Reality session at Watershed.

Tickets: £12:00 full / £10:00 concessions / 24 and under
You can buy tickets to a single session, each of which will feature two or three VR experiences exploring a particular theme. Get a 10% discount on the total if you book for two or more sessions.

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