Virtual Reality Art by Kevin Mack
Anandala is a virtual, abstract art installation unconstrained by the limits of reality. Visitors explore through personal flight a vast three-dimensional labyrinth of evolving shapes and colors populated with intelligent artificial-life called Blorts. Anandala invites visitors to interact and connect with these curious, friendly lifeforms and explore their natural habitat. There are currently 130 unique shapeshifting Blorts, each with its own complex self-determined behavior. They express themselves and interact with visitors and each other through movement, changing color textures, and their own musical language. Blorts are native to virtual reality and lack many of the defining qualities of biological life, but they are creative, expressive, curious, and aware of themselves, their environment, and others. Their behavior is intrinsically motivated and performed for its own sake rather than in pursuit of extrinsic goals. Free from suffering, conflict, and the struggle to survive, the Blorts' purpose, form, and function are aesthetic, therapeutic, and entertaining.
Anandala fuses the diverse elements of my creative practice, from painting and sculpting to artificial life and 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 awe, engage the imagination, and enhance well-being.
Anandala Video Clips