KOEXISTENZ is an immersive new art space created by Eta (etamae) & Jos (mojosb5c) I recently had the opportunity to visit, courtesy of an invitation from Eta. An experience-driven installation, it presents a unique blend of real-world images, digital art, 3D elements, movement and contrasts.
The installation stands as two elements: the Landing Point platform and the main sky platform. The former offers information on how to best view the event. I’d summarise this by saying:
- The installation is best seen using a PBR viewer.
- If you can, raise your graphics quality to at least High (Ultra is recommended, but TBH, unless you have a really high-end system / monitor, High works just as well).
- You accept the local experience via the large “tablet”, to allow you to use the local teleport system.
There is a recommendation to used the local Shared Environment – but to be honest, given the options present within the installation, whether you do or not is a matter of choice.
That said, I would recommend flicking to it, if it is not already selected on arrival, as it tend to show the Landing Point to its best – and its worth looking around (and under!) the platform before right-clicking the teleport disc to be transferred to the main installation.
KOEXISTENZ has no set theme; rather it brings together multiple aspects of artistic expression – as described above – allowing visitors to simply immerse themselves in the installation and allow it to speak to them. In this there are two things to note on starting explorations.
The first is that the installation comprises three spaces, with two further large tablets between them. Touching either tablet will open a dialogue, allowing you to select one of eight different ambient environments. It’s worth taking time to experience the installation through each of them – that order you do so isn’t important – as they can change perspectives and views in the most subtle of ways.
The second is that it is worth taking time to cam out and around the entire structure of the installation as a whole, if you can. There is a mix and flow of geometry to the structure that adds a further subtle complexity to the installation. It has its own unique beauty which should be witnessed in full.
Throughout the three chambers of the structure is a visually engaging mix of 2D and 3D elements – with some of the latter floating below the transparent floor, with some of the 2D pieces also animated. Reflection probes are used to huge effect, rendering beautiful results across the surfaces of floating tears, floating spheres glass-like statues and within the marble of the egg-like mounts of many of the pictures. Spheres revolve, cubes spin, bouncing ambient light over their flat faces. Changes to the ambient lighting via the tablets brings in to full relief the murals on some of the faces of the tent-like ceilings overhead. Everywhere you look there is something to see and admire.
The division of work by the artists – the entire installation reflects their joint deep dive into the intricacies of Blender – is such that Jos created the physical space, Eta the lighting, art and images infusing some of the surfaces. Thus they offer a co-existence of styles and expression, ambience and art.
There is a rich layering of chaos and order throughout; pieces animate and move of their own accord, images ripple and flow, blobs vie with more regular frames to hold pictures, geometric forms and shapes impose order whilst reflections chase one another randomly as the lighting changes.
Simply marvellous and not to be missed!
SLurl Details
- KOEXISTENZ (Dragonfly Lake, rated Moderate)
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