The Big One (Thesis Proposal Form)

Thesis Proposal - Their Questions, My Answers

1. What is your area of focus for your thesis research?

I wish to research the role of art (interactive and otherwise) in times of pandemic, quarantine, and social isolation.

2. Please provide 3 artists whose work inspires you or that you plan to research as part of your thesis work.

I don’t have any specific artists in mind right now, but I intend on research artists and their works during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 1918 H1N1 pandemic, the 1957-1958 Pandemic (H2N2 virus), the 1968 Pandemic (H3N2 virus), and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. General info on past pandemics from the CDC here.

3. What type of work is your thesis project? (Game, installation, ARG, etc.) AND What technology needs does it require? Will you be using your own technology or Becker’s resources?

The completed project will be a VR experience, necessitating the need for a VR headset (a resource needed from Becker/Clark).

4. Describe your project idea and how it ties into your thesis research in 1-2 paragraphs.

I wish to create a VR, walking simulator Art Game, taking players on a symbolic journey through the COVID-19 pandemic from its start to present day. Players will explore an almost ethereal museum environment, interacting and taking in displays and installations that symbolically mark different all-encompassing aspects of the pandemic both negative and positive (ex. death toll, social isolation, taking up new hobbies, successful business ventures, etc.). Project will tie into research as my own take/contribution on interactive art in a time of pandemic, as a piece that is reflective of the times we are in, taking you through an experience that feels almost out-of-body, but is about the world we live in right now.

5. Describe your planned presentation method for your thesis project, (keeping in mind the gallery showcase at the end of the year).

A small set up where one attendee at a time will be able to put on a disinfected VR headset and grab a disinfected controller and go through the Art Game for approximately 10-20 minutes, before removing said headset. A PC will be present, along with myself to walk people through the experience, disinfect the headset and reset the game for the next person.

6. Please list 4 major project milestones for your interactive work for this semester. (You may also want to list your milestones for next semester but clarify especially where you want your project to be at the end of this 3-month semester)

· Museum Environment Modeled/Textured

· Significant amount of assets within environment modeled/textured (at least modeled)

· A rough demo (either with Museum Environment, or stock environment) that can be played with VR headset and controller.

· Preliminary Audio (sfx, possible music as well) and Writing Work (for installations) completed/in-progress

7. What are your project needs as far studio teams (ex- 2 artists, 3 programmers, etc.)?

· Producer [1]

· Artist [3 min.]

· Programmer [2, possibly more, the game is short and somewhat small in scope]

· Writer (or Designer) [1]