XR – THE ‘CONCERT HALL’ OF THE FUTURE:
Studying and augmenting human interaction in XR musical environments
XR multimodal displays allow simulating existing real-life musical environments, creating for users the feeling of actually being present in this context. XR displays may also create radically new immersive, multimodal and imaginary environments for users. Complemented with motion capture technologies and high-speed data networks, it becomes possible for users to (socially) interact in a highly embodied manner, within an XR environment, even when they are not physically together. In addition, virtual agents in all shapes and colors may be created to interact creatively in real time with users. Given these possibilities, we consider XR environments as a radically new space for the study and practice of creative and artistic interactions.
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At IPEM, we want to study human interactions within these XR musical environments. The ability to accurately simulate multimodal environments, to control the behavior of virtual agents therein, and to create scenarios which are otherwise impossible in our physical environment, turns XR into a performance space that radically extents research frontiers in empirical and cognitive musicology.
From churches in Medieval times to classical concert halls and digital IPods, musical practices and experiences have always been shaped by the spaces in which they occurred. XR unlocks a new space that holds enormous possibilities for music experience and interaction. By integrating scientific knowledge with the creative spark of artists and the possibilities of new technologies, IPEM wants to be at the forefront in developing new, XR-based forms of experience and interaction, innovating practices in the cultural-creative sector.