We invite artists, designers, 3D modelers, illustrators, directors, writers, photographers, sound-designers, creative coders and (web) developers, to join the co-creation of a new XR experience. In a hybrid residency, starting online and during the summer months of 2024 at V2_ Lab in Rotterdam (NL), we intend to reimagine and challenge conventional notions of XR. 

Since presentations of XR experiences often focus on the individual rather than incorporating the audience present in the exhibition space, this residency aspires to explore the possibilities of a communal XR experience.  To mirror this intended outcome, the residency is also designed as a communal creation process of one joint artwork, with all residents contributing according to their individual expertise, practice, and vision. In a collaborative working atmosphere, the residency aims to provide a nurturing environment for a community of XR creatives who want to investigate the interplay between simulation and reality critically.

The project draws ideas from the science fiction novel Simulacron-3, aka ‘Counterfeit World’. This book delves into a future society where a supercomputer simulation houses conscious inhabitants unaware of their virtual reality. As the simulation’s creator unravels the truth about his own existence, profound questions about identity, consciousness, and reality emerge. Simulacron-3 anticipates present-day ethical, philosophical, and technological challenges, resonating with discussions surrounding VR, AI , and the essence of reality itself. 

The residency participants are encouraged to explore contemporary topics raised in the novel: Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Consciousness, Data Privacy and Surveillance, Simulation Theory, Existential Risk and Future of Humanity. From these topics, the participants are invited to reflect on the creation of a XR experience with a strong creative and artistic component, that doesn’t let the user isolated, but rather creates a collective experience that, in its core, considers the concepts of human interaction, group dynamics and empathy.  The expected outcome of the residency is a co-created XR experience. 

The project aims to use open source and free access tools. Throughout the production, participants will receive guidance from experts, in-house developers, project managers, and curators to foster a highly productive working atmosphere.

The online part of the residency will kick off 1 June and will continue with 2 online meetings a week, with all participants collaboratively working on the concept development under expert facilitation. The IRL part of the residency will take place at V2_ Lab in Rotterdam from 26 June to 1 September 2024. Participants will receive access to the facilities, production, curatorial guidance and support from in-house developers, next to the opportunity to join XR workshops and receive expert feedback. 

The results of the residency will be presented on 8 August at V2_ and Ars Electronica Festival from 4 September to 8 September 2024. A budget of 6.000 Euro will be provided to each selected candidate to cover their fee, travel, accommodation and subsistence.

The call is open to emerging creatives with various skill sets, which could include: scenario writing, directing, composing, photography, photogrammetry, illustration, architecture, graphic design, 3D modeling, interaction design, game development, creative coding and sound design. European residency is required for applicants, with no regard to nationality, gender, religion, or ethnicity. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply.

Applicants must be available to travel to Rotterdam for the residency period from 26 June to 1 September 2024. 

Applicants should have a sufficient level of English proficiency to enable them to engage in the residency programme.

To apply for the residence program, you must:

• Create a video that meets the specified criteria
• Complete this application form in English

Video criteria:

• Introduce yourself and your practice
• Explain your ideas for creating a XR experience in the context of this residency
• Explain what you wish to contribute as part of this collaborative world-building project
• Upload your video to a service such as YouTube or Vimeo. (Note that YouTube allows you to create an unlisted video, and Vimeo allows you to set a password.)

Application Deadline: 1 May 2024 (Midnight, CEST) 

After an eligibility check, submissions will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Artistic quality based on aesthetics and originality in line with the residency concept.
• How the proposal expands the notions of XR by reimagining desirable futures.
• The feasibility and art-technology congruency of the technical approach.
• How the contribution promotes an inclusive, open, sustainable, respectful and accessible XR environment.
• How the applicants’ expertise fits into the team of 7 residents that will be assembled to develop and implement the joint project.

Applicants may be invited to an online interview the second week of May, as part of the final selection process.

Notification: by the end of May 2024

Please note that due to the number of expected applications no individual feedback can be provided to unsuccessful applicants, as we unfortunately do not have the capacity to do so.