Awedyssey

Description

Awedyssey is a narrated virtual experience that was originally designed for SIRIUS isolation study, an on-land analogue mission simulating a long duration space flight. While developed for this specific context originally, we then adapted to be experienced by general public in a context of VR art festivals and at home use. It encompasses several phenomena known to elicit self-transcendent emotions, such as mediation, experiencing vast nature, and floating through space. By aiming to elicit self-transcendent emotions Awedyssey sets to support immersive well-being by reducing stress, eliciting positive affect, and fostering the feeling of connection.

My role

I was involved in the ideation process that lead up to development of Awedyssey, took the lead on development and recording of the narrative, and research design, data collection, and analysis.

Collaborators

John Desnoyers
Stewart (lead artist)

Noah Miller

Ashu Adhikari

Media

Kamil Karamali. Global News 6 pm BC. TV News Feature. <https://globalnews.ca/video/8 439 499/sfu- project-to-help-astronauts-deal-with-isolation> (Dec, 10 2021).

McDonald, B. Canadian VR technology will aid isolation effects on a simulated long-duration space flight.

CBC Radio. <https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/canadian-vr-technology-will-aid-isolation- effects-on-a-simulated-long-duration-space-flight-1.6 245 516> (Nov. 2021).

Mornings with Simi. Global News CKNNW 980. Radio Interview (Nov, 1 2021).

Tags

Funding

Alexandra Kitson

Patrick Pennefather

Denise Quesnel

Katharina Brauns

Anika Friedl-Werner

Alexander Stahn

Bernhard Rieke

Connection

Self-transcendence

Wellbeing

Art

Phenomenology