Summary:

“Dragon Magic, Freedom Giants” is an innovative project created by Juliana Loh in Google Tiltbrush VR. Initially intended for a physical gallery showing in 2022, it has since evolved into two distinct virtual reality experiences hosted on the EngageXR platform in 2023.

This immersive project combines elements of art installation, interactive workshops, and virtual theme park design, exploring profound themes such as home, belonging, culture, diversity, and the power of dreams. Participants embark on an enchanting odyssey through a virtual realm inhabited by mythical creatures and ethereal blue-skinned figures representing various states of being.

As participants actively navigate this virtual world, they are encouraged to project themselves onto these fantastical creatures, facilitating a journey of self-discovery and reconnection with one’s authentic self. The narrative unfolds across two distinct worlds:

World 1: Dragon Magic: In this realm, participants engage in self-reflection and explore memories guided by their thoughts or fellow explorers. Sculptural motifs prompt contemplation about the significance of new beginnings, whether they manifest in the real world or within cherished dreams.

World 2: Freedom Giants: After concluding the Dragon Magic expedition, participants enter a metaphorical journey of life. Here, they navigate the pursuit of their true home, secret aspirations, or ultimate goals. This non-linear adventure underscores the idea that achieving new destinations requires hard work, with both successes and setbacks. The experience in Freedom Giants may be personal, yet it offers everyone a unique and exhilarating social VR experience.

“Dragon Magic, Freedom Giants” embodies the transformative spirit, emphasizing the intricate connection between dreams and the determination to bring them to reality.

This collaborative masterpiece was crafted by Juliana Loh, who blended storytelling and Tilt Brush art in collaboration with Chris Madsen and Mada de Leeuw. Together, they have created a monumental 20-story VR art installation that immerses viewers in a realm where magic and reality seamlessly merge, offering a truly extraordinary and enchanting experience.

Director Bio:

Juliana Loh (Story and Tiltbrush Artist) A visionary designer working at the intersection of art, storytelling and experience design, Juliana Loh has been painting in Google Tiltbrush VR on various platforms since 2019. Her work reflects her love of design and music and her celebration of various cultures enables her to promote diversity and inclusion from a rich and imaginative point of view. With experiences in branding, education and games, Juliana continuously explores her passion in XR innovation while building narratives or worlds on various immersive social-VR themed platforms.

Juliana consults on story-based and experience design projects, juries festivals and facilitates VR empathy building workshops. She is drawn to the many opportunities within the AI/XR universe and is happy to have had her work featured in seven prestigious XR International Film Festivals since 2021.

Mada de Leeuw (Production and Development) is a digital artist specializing in the creation of immersive 3D models for digital experiences and interactive virtual worlds. With over a decade of expertise acquired at Daz3D, she excels in producing top-tier 3D models, a skill that is very valuable in designing and optimizing captivating VR environments and interactive experiences.

In addition to artistic talents, she possesses a wealth of experience in project management and art direction within the publishing industry, allowing her to oversee and guide creative endeavors effectively.

Chris Madsen (Experience Design) comes from a 20-year career in behavioral health administration and programming. Experiencing social presence via VR in 2013 changed his professional trajectory when he recognized the disruptive implications that teleporting our consciousness to shared digital spaces would have on how humans work, learn, socialize, and play.

Chris maintains a strong pulse on the evolving intersections of social, educational, artistic, and entertainment developments within the XR space. Chris has collaborated with myriad creators throughout his career, crafting XR experiences that captivate audiences with awe, wonder, and delight.

As the Senior Sales Engineer at ENGAGE XR, Chris is at the forefront of delivering innovative virtual solutions spanning collaboration, communication, training, education, and events.