Virtual Reality Art by Kevin Mack
Anandala is a virtual, abstract art installation unconstrained by the limits of reality. It is designed to inspire awe, engage the imagination, and enhance well-being through shape, color, motion, sound, spatial presence, and perpetual novelty. Anandala's labyrinthine structure is built on three concentric, connected, icosahedrons that form a five-dimensional representation of the most complex of the Platonic solids. Visitors explore this vast three-dimensional mandala of evolving shapes and colors with the freedom of personal flight, like flying in a dream. Anandala combines the Sanskrit words, Ananda (bliss) and Mandala (a geometric figure representing the Universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism).
Anandala is inhabited by artificial-life entities called Blorts. Each shape-shifting Blort is unique and has complex emergent behavior. Blorts express themselves and interact with visitors and each other through their movement, changing color textures, and their own musical language. Blorts are native to virtual reality. They lack many of the limitations of physical reality. They also lack many of the defining qualities of biological life, yet they are creative, expressive, curious, and aware of themselves, their environment, and others. The Blort's Intrinsically motivated behavior is performed for its own sake rather than in pursuit of extrinsic goals. Their purpose, form and function are aesthetic, therapeutic, and entertaining. Anandala invites visitors to observe, interact, and emotionally connect with unique, expressive lifeforms and explore their natural habitat.
AI and Artificial life have inspired a lot of dystopian speculation. Anandala presents a positive alternative - a virtual world of intelligent artificial life that is without suffering, conflict, or the struggle to survive, where creative self expression, social interaction and curiosity are central.
Anandala integrates the diverse elements of my creative practice, from painting and sculpting to artificial life to the science of awe. It is an exploration of nature, reality, and consciousness and an expression of my aesthetic ideal. The processes and inspirations behind Anandala are complex, but the intention is simple, to inspire the transcendent experience of awe, engage the imagination, and enhance well being - To promote peace, love, and understanding.
Anandala Video Clips