Visual and Performing Arts in Virtual Worlds Anthony Fontana Learning Technologies Consultant Instructor of Art Virtual Campus Co-Administrator Bowling Green State University

Why are the Visual and Performing Arts important to VWs? "The user is the content" –McLuhan. Everything in SL is made by a user. Every action is performed by the user. Not every user is an artist but every user is (could be) a work of art.

Why are the Visual and Performing Arts important to VWs? Art and new media value the unique and the individual. A virtual world offers individuals a chance to make unique choices . 'Culture of individuality' can become 'Culture of user creativity'.

What is Art? Most people would answer expression or communication. ( Syntax ) Art contains meaning. ( Semantics ) Art asks the viewer questions. ( Pragmatics ) Art relies on signifiers (signs, symbols) for signified real world objects.

What is Art? Syntax : The relationship of signifiers to what they stand for (Signified) Semantics : The formal or structural relations between signifiers (Grammar, design principles) Pragmatics : The semantic relations of signifiers to each other and to interpreters (Context)

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? Virtual worlds contain only signifiers. Virtual Cup = Cup (the word) = Cup (a picture of the object) = A real cup

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? The function of virtual world signifiers may differ from the real world objects they purport to represent. The function of an art object unknown until the viewer contemplates it. The function of any virtual object is unknown until used .

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? V irtual world objects are like art objects because: (N ot just signifiers for a signified real world object ) A juxtaposition of semantic relations interpreted by the viewer.

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds?

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? Art object = Meaning [[Semantics (the relationship of signifiers to signified) + Syntax (formal, grammatical, structural relationships between elements (line, shape, value, texture, color) + Pragmatics (the semantic relations of signifiers to each other & to interpreters (CONTEXT)]]

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? Virtual object = Meaning [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]] + Meaning of Function [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]]

What does Art share in common with Virtual Worlds? Virtual object = Meaning [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]] + Meaning of Function [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]] Equation is missing 'Level of Immersion’

What is Immersion? When the user no longer differentiates the signifier from the signified, they are immersed. The object virtual IS. The statement 'my avatar' becomes 'I' or 'me'.

What is Immersion? Are there various levels of immersion? If so, are the levels immersion affected by: Time spent immersed or in VW Acceptance of cultural norms/ practices Relationships made in the space

Are there various levels of immersion?

If so, are the levels immersion affected by:

Time spent immersed or in VW

Acceptance of cultural norms/ practices

Relationships made in the space

What is Immersion? When users create virtual obj ec t s they are assigning a signifer to a signified. V arious levels of expression and communication are hindered through interface.

What is Immersion? Virtual object = Meaning [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]] + Meaning of Function [[Semantics + Syntax + Pragmatics]] x Number of functions X Level of Immersion

Virtual World Education and Art Pedagogy Why do educators turn to virtual worlds? Art pedagogy…

What is Immersion? Educators intent on creating immersive experiences must consider: Point of Immersion How do simulated experiences force student to apply knowledge

Educators intent on creating immersive experiences must consider:

Point of Immersion

How do simulated experiences force student to apply knowledge

What is Immersion? Will the knowledge applied to a signifier (the virtual object) will remain the same when applied to the signified (the actual object)? Digital painting is an example… Learning to digitally paint does NOT teach you to actually paint.

Educators creating an immersive learning environment might consider: What is the student's identity in this experience? What is the appropriate environment? Will the students interaction with the simulated person, place, thing be the same in real life? Can you make the students believe it will?

What is the student's identity in this experience?

What is the appropriate environment?

Will the students interaction with the simulated person, place, thing be the same in real life?

Can you make the students believe it will?

Examples: What is the student's identity in this experience? What is the appropriate environment? Will the students interaction with the simulated person, place, thing be the same in real life? Can you make the students believe it will? Dr. Linda Mandlebaum, BGSU, Intervention Services Ken Hudson, Loyolist College Border Crossing Project

What is the student's identity in this experience?

What is the appropriate environment?

Will the students interaction with the simulated person, place, thing be the same in real life?

Can you make the students believe it will?