The virtual reality experience MYRIAD – Where we connect. Ist represented in the “Vencice VR Expand” competition of the Venice Biennale.
I had the pleasure to shoot the stereographic 3D Foxes, that were integrated in these wonderful AR experience MYRIAD – WHERE WE CONNECT.
Press reslese
World premiere on the Lido
The virtual reality experience MYRIAD. Where we connect. is represented
in the “Venice VR Expanded” competition of the Venice Biennale
Berlin, July 29, 2021. The virtual reality experience on global animal migration MYRIAD. Where we
connect. will celebrate its world premiere in competition in the “Venice VR Expanded” section of
the 78th Venice International Film Festival (September 1-11, 2021). MYRIAD is thus in the
running for one of the festival’s coveted Lions. MYRIAD will be presented to professional visitors at
the Palazzo del Casino on the Lido. At the same time, the immersive projects of the “Venice VR
Expanded” section can be experienced online for an extended period from September 1-19 on the
virtual reality platform VRChat. In addition, the festival offers interested viewers worldwide the
unique opportunity to experience the VR installations locally in 14 venues in ten countries, among
them Berlin.
The VR experience MYRIAD is a project from the non-profit organization Interactive Media
Foundation and Filmtank in co-creation with Miiqo Studios and Artificial Rome. With scientific
support of Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Natural History
Museum Berlin) / Mediasphere for Nature, Waldrappteam / LIFE Northern Bald Ibis, Deutsches
Meeresmuseum Stralsund (German Oceanographic Museum), University of Exeter, Ascension
Island Government, Zoo in der Wingst, Norwegian Polar Institute, Norwegian Institute for Nature
Research and RiffReporter. Supported by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
Producer Michael Grotenhoff (Interactive Media Foundation): “We are thrilled and honored to
present our virtual reality experience MYRIAD to the world public for the first time and to be able to
bring such an important topic – global animal migration – to a large audience.”
Writer and creative director Lena Thiele (Miiqo Studios): “In MYRIAD, we tell powerful stories of
migrating animals in an emotionally moving way. During their global migrations, these animals are
increasingly confronted with the consequences of human activities. Viewers follow three animals,
an arctic fox, a northern bald ibis and a green sea turtle, through increasing challenges on their
extraordinary migrations. MYRIAD approaches the subject in an artistic and poetic way, creating
striking visual narratives which draw viewers in. Animal stories like these show how interconnected
our world is, but they also point to the need to take global responsibility in our shared world by
realigning our relationship to the natural environment. In a nutshell, this is our motivation and the
basic idea behind our project MYRIAD.”
At the intersection of art, science and storytelling, MYRIAD explores the fascination and challenges
of the animals’ global migrations in an ever-changing, globally connected world increasingly under
massive human influence. In a science-driven yet artistically sophisticated way, MYRIAD visualizes
the impact of the Anthropocene, the age of humans, on our planet. Migrating animals depend on
interactions with a wide variety of ecosystems during their global journeys. This is the only way
they can cover great distances on their migrations and ensure their survival. Science is only just
beginning to decipher these complex, interdependent systems. MYRIAD takes the audience on a
global journey through our interconnected world.
In close collaboration with institutions from around the world, including the Max Planck Institute
of Animal Behavior, MYRIAD combines cutting-edge scientific data with innovative forms of
immersive storytelling and sophisticated aesthetics. This takes place in the virtual reality
experience, which will be presented at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, and also in the
form of a 360° 3-D documentary, a primetime TV documentary, an immersive installation, labs and
citizen science projects, as well as other media formats that are currently still in production.
Project partners of all formats of the overall project MYRIAD. Where we connect.
The cross media production MYRIAD is a project of the Interactive Media Foundation and Filmtank
in co-creation with Miiqo Studios, Context Film and Artificial Rome. With the scientific support of
Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Natural History Museum
Berlin) / Mediasphere for Nature, Waldrappteam, LIFE Northern Bald Ibis, Deutsches
Meeresmuseum Stralsund (German Oceanographic Museum Stralsund), University of Exeter,
Ascension Island Government, Zoo in der Wingst, Norwegian Polar Institute, Norwegian Institute
for Nature Research, zoosuisse, Schönbrunn Zoo. In alliance with World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) and in cooperation with ARD / SWR, RiffReporter and Occupied VR. The project is supported
by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MFG Baden-Württemberg, Canada Media Fund and Bell
Fund.