BLUR
The Boundaries of Identity - An Onboarding Experience
When your body, voice and ideas can be cloned…
What defines you?
What is your true identity?
In a world where genetic engineering and digital technology advancements blur the lines between individuality and replication, BLUR: The Boundaries of Identity—An Onboarding Experience invites participants to reflect on the essence of their identity as they are prepared for a fully immersive digital experience.
This work delves into themes of identity, transformation, and the ethical implications of genetic engineering. Developed as a research project in collaboration with the PHI STUDIO, it combines physical installations, curated media, and virtual reality to create a deeply engaging and thought-provoking journey that builds upon the main exhibit but serves as a stand-alone piece. By merging these elements, this work examines how our sense of self is shaped, transformed, and challenged in the face of technological progress.
Physical Onboarding Experience:
A tactile, immersive space built using sustainable materials, designed to ease participants into the narrative and set the emotional tone.
Projected over the hallway structure as the audience moves through, the film below is designed to set the tone for the core experience ahead. Through carefully selected imagery and soundscapes, it aims to evoke personal memories and emotions: the sound of rain may recall a moment of solitude, a passing train could trigger thoughts of travel or change, and the distant bleating of sheep might bring feelings of nostalgia. Even the rhythmic beating of a heart from within the womb invites introspection, connecting the audience to the primal origins of identity. By weaving these sensory triggers, the film suggests that memories may hold the key to understanding the true nature of our identity and its intricate composition.
VR Experience: A virtual rendition of the exhibit, complete with curated footage and interactive features, offering participants an alternative way to explore the space and its themes.
Spinning Earth
Positioned near the culmination of the primary experience, this short film uses curated historical footage to weave a powerful narrative about humanity’s evolution and the dual impact of technological progress. Projected onto the rotating globe structure, the visuals juxtapose milestones of human achievement with moments of consequence—highlighting the delicate balance between innovation and its ethical implications. From the first steps in space exploration to the sombre reality of environmental decline, each frame invites reflection on our collective journey.
BLUR: The Boundaries of Identity — An Onboarding Experience is a concept developed in collaboration with PHI STUDIO. It explores themes of identity, transformation, and the ethical implications of genetic engineering through an immersive combination of physical installations, curated media, and virtual reality. This project invites audiences to reflect on the intersection of humanity and technology.
This project represents the collaborative efforts of Samuel Dias, Mahsa Rad, and Haomin Wang as their Major Research Project for the Master of Digital Media Program at Toronto Metropolitan University.