Key facts
- The 10th edition of Venice Immersive, a showcase for extended reality (XR) storytelling, is taking place.
- Among the 69 XR pieces is 'David Bowie: Unseen Unheard,' a 3D documentary featuring previously unseen images.
- The documentary is a personal portrait of David Bowie by his former official photographer, Denis O’Regan.
- The installation utilizes eight screens, 84 hidden speakers, 12 Bowie songs, O'Regan's commentary, and nearly 800 photographs.
- The project was developed with the full support of David Bowie's estate.
The 10th anniversary edition of Venice Immersive, a dedicated showcase for extended reality (XR) storytelling, is featuring a diverse range of new works, including a 3D documentary about David Bowie. Titled 'David Bowie: Unseen Unheard,' the film by Denis O’Regan, Bowie's former official photographer, utilizes hundreds of previously unseen images and O'Regan's personal commentary.
The installation is designed as an immersive spatial-sound experience, playing across eight screens with 84 hidden speakers. It incorporates 12 of Bowie's songs, O'Regan's insights, and an archive of nearly 800 photographs. The project received full support and cooperation from the late singer's estate, with O'Regan noting Bowie's affinity for technology and experimentation.
Venice Immersive aims to bridge emergent technology with traditional narrative cinema. Co-curator Liz Rosenthal emphasized the rapid evolution of XR as a medium and the ongoing development of new art forms in real-time. The program also includes works addressing the climate crisis, such as 'Solwata' and 'Out of the Ashes,' as well as nature documentaries like 'Galápagos: The Last Eden' and 'Disneynature’s Wolf,' and a cosmic VR installation titled 'Smithsonian Starstruck.' Rosenthal highlighted the increasing distribution strategies for XR works, indicating their growing reach beyond the festival itself.