Lara Torrance
Extinction Park, 2018
VR experience for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Mobile VR
Extinction Park is a Virtual Reality experience designed for the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Mobile VR. I was inspired to make this virtual graveyard after Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros, died in March 2018. The species had survived for millions of years, but could not survive mankind.
The virtual graveyard currently features 5 animals that were hunted to extinction by mankind: Woolly Mammoth (2,000 B.C.), Dodo (1681), Pyrenean Ibex (2000), Pinta Island Tortoise (2012), Northern White Rhinoceros (2018). This it is a ongoing project that I am going to expand until the space is filled with groups of extinct animals of the past, and the coming ones. A way to visualize the sixth mass extinction in our plant’s history and acting as a harsh reminder of mankind's ability to wipe animals from the face of the Earth.
I want the viewer to learn from the sad loss of animals like Sudan, and this virtual graveyard provides a place for grieving his loss. Using gravestone slogans such as “Lost Now but Loved Forever” I wanted to create a sense of mourning for these lost species.
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VIDEO LINK
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist Statement:
I am Lara, a multidisciplinary designer and a recent graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design, where I received an honors BFA in Graphic Design. My work is focused on using new and emerging technology in playful, social, and non traditional ways.
Having mastered the full Adobe Suite curiosity took me to took me to Cinema 4D, Rhinoceros 3D and Blender to further develop my 3D and Motion Graphics skills. Not only do I want to make things move, I want to make things interact, so programming was the next step - learning Unity3D and Xcode in order to code and create Augmented & Virtual Reality experiences.
This has opened the doors to my new found love for creative technology. I work towards strong concepts backed by the robust technological solutions and away from acts of spectacle & tech for tech sake. I am a passionate individual with a strong work ethic and desire to learn.
If you are interested in exhibiting or viewing this artistic VR experience, please send an email to us.
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