Another dimension: ECAL project merges the real and the virtual

France – Simon de Diesbach of the École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL) design school has created an immersive experience that bridges the gap between reality and virtual reality.

The installation, OccultUs, invites users to sit on a chair wearing an Oculus Rift virtual reality headpiece, typically used for gaming, surrounded by a series of objects.

As participants enter the virtual reality world through the headset, they are led by signs directing them to look at shapes and in particular directions. When they do, this triggers the real objects to move and make a noise, which becomes a soundscape and provokes a real experience alongside the simulated one. 

The installation raises interesting questions about the interaction between real and virtual spaces, and about creating a third dimension. 

In the future, technology will be used to imbue a sense of enchantment in everyday objects. For more, read our Everyday Re-enchantment microtrend and watch our preview video on our forthcoming Awakening Tech macrotrend.