Contemporary Distractions

The first multimedia device in the form of an interactive theater experience was invented in 1957, according to the Virtual Reality Society. In 1968, a head-mounted display attached to a computer was introduced that enabled the wearer to see a virtual world. However, it was extremely heavy and had to be attached to a suspension device to help support its immense weight. Over the past few years, a new wave of interest in Virtual Reality (VR) has formed. It began with the design of the first prototype of the Oculus Rift in 2010, followed by next-gen video game developer Valve’s introduction of low-persistence displays in 2013. In recent years, advancements in the field have pushed VR even further. By wearing a VR headset and holding two free controllers, artists have begun to digitally paint, sculpt, and illustrate in Virtual Reality. Because of this seemingly endless potential, VR art has become a rising art movement that more and more artists are beginning to gravitate to. With its immersive and limitless possibilities, VR art has the potential to change the trajectory of the contemporary digital arts. Continue reading →