And it includes 63 projects from 25 countries.

As I was beginning to type this, I got an email from a former favorite editor of mine, who went into PR last year. He has always been cool and at the forefront of what is happening tomorrow and in 2023 started to do publicity for Venice Immersive. It is only now that I understand why.

I’ve recently started writing for CULTUR.art, the fab new website of The Arts Society in the UK. Its manifesto begins: “A Call to Live More Artfully. In a golden age of self-fulfilment, a new generation is searching for the elusive path to personal enlightenment, seeking new ideas and perspectives about the world we live in. CULTUR.art will unlock the transformative power of the arts for these restlessly curious souls, helping people to engage in wonder and embrace the way art makes them feel.” Engaging people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, economic means and opposite interests should be at the forefront of all artistic disciplines, from cinema, to the visual arts and even music, dance and theater.

I believe that VR is the means to do away with that uncomfortable space that separates culture from people. Because VR holds a key, a key called accessibility, which makes art and all artistic disciplines seem within reach, in virtual reality.

When I was a child and my parents dragged me from museum to art gallery and back to museums, I used to swim on the seats of those institutions, practicing my backstrokes and freestyle techniques. I was six, seven at the most, and no one said a thing. They probably found it charming, while I cringe with embarrassment just thinking back on it. Anyway, even while I was doing my moves, I saw. I watched. I listened. And today, leaving all sports practice at the gym, where it belongs, I still go from museum to art gallery and back, on my way to the cinema. Out of my own free will and craving it, actually. And all because I was allowed to absorb art the way I wanted to, so culture is not a bad word to me. In fact, it’s the beginning of everything wonderful and the key to my personal wellbeing.

So, kudos to my ex editor and still good friend for once again showing me the way to the future, now. And here is the complete line up announcement from Venice Immersive, including their cool juries, just announced. Personally, I’m more than intrigued by the Competition title In the Realm of Ripley by Soo Eung Chuck Chae and Eun Jung Chae, an installation/virtual reality/interactive 50 minute film from South Korea. Was trying to find out more about the project, pictured in the header above, and if it deals with the Tom Ripley books by Patricia Highsmith at all, online. But every publication out there has the same cut and paste press release with absolutely zero new information published. Shame. Stay tuned for more info on this site.

The selection of projects for Venice Immersive, the XR - Extended Reality section of the 81st Venice International Film Festival (taking place from 28th August to 7th September 2024) of La Biennale di Venezia, is now complete. Launched in 2017, the section represents the first competition and official selection for works in Extended Reality in an A-list festival. The official program will take place on the Venice Immersive Island (island of Lazzaretto Vecchio), a short distance from the Lido di Venezia, on the following dates:

●      27th August (afternoon): press preview

●      28th August: open exclusively to Press, Industry and Venice Immersive accreditations

●      29th August - 7th September: open to all accredited visitors

Check out their website for accreditation and more info.

Top images courtesy of La Biennale, used with permission.