Virtual reality is a powerful and emerging medium that enables viewers to step into real and imagined worlds, including those that feature stories of culture and identity. In 2015, VR was characterized as “the ultimate empathy machine.” Embodying the bodies, lives and spaces of others can be compelling, but can it really foster empathy? Drop in and explore interactive gaming; 360° videos; and 1000 Cut Journey, an immersive virtual reality film. Curated content centers the stories of people of color, trans people and people with disabilities. (Bring your mobile phones and headsets to download/experience mobile VR content; a limited number of devices will be available.) Presented by Dan Bennett, Yasmin Eisenhauer ‘94, Travis Grandy, and Mario Valdebenito of Smith College Libraries/Information Technology Services; Andrew Maurer of the Art department; and students Tina Liu ‘22, Arris Moise ’22, and Rebecca Wolf ’20.
