Ncube8 - Free Virtual Reality Workshops Announced
The Byron Bay International Film Festival is this year poised to boldly go beyond the “reality” of the silver screen, with an exploration of the potential of virtual reality (VR) in an artist’s palette.
The organisers are offering an artist-oriented program, called Ncube8, to “open new dimensions” to talented visual creatives keen to take their art to another level.“We’re looking for local talent interested in the cutting edge, where art meets technology and is enhanced by it,” said festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke.“We are rolling out five free workshops as part of our Ncube8 program. Filmmakers, artists and the general public are invited to take part and engage with the technology and the creative potential it holds.
“Artists of all disciplines are invited to explore with us, as well as individuals interested in the technology.”Traditional artists in all mediums will be given the chance to play and experiment with the immersive new tools that VR hardware and software provides.The first of the workshops is at the Lismore Regional Gallery on August 8 with more planned at the Byron Bay Community Centre and across the region .“Lismore Regional Gallery is delighted to partner with Byron Bay Film Festival to allow artists the privilege of understanding the possibilities of virtual reality,” said gallery director Brett Adlington.“Artists and creatives are at the forefront of seeing the world anew – and will be pivotal in ensuring VR is seen as being more than just a technical gimmick,” he said.The workshops will allow the festival to identify eight artists who will be incubated and given an in-depth opportunity to develop a new piece of artwork.The work will then be showcased at the film festival.Festival organisers want to hear from artists who would like to be part of the incubation process and to generate some form of VR experience that evolves their art form.Artists do not need to be technically-minded to participate. Those unsure about how their work might fit into this new world should apply anyway, Ms Skippon-Volke said – or just come along to the workshop to learn more.Registration for a workshop, or application to become an Ncube8 artist, can be submitted through the BBFF website, bbff.com.au/ncube8
