MARTINNOVAK

VIRE

"VIRE - Virtual Interpersonal Reality Emitter" is a multimedia installation that fuses sound and video to explore the shifting dynamics of human interaction in the digital age. The title itself encapsulates the core themes of the work, synthesizing virtual reality, interpersonal connections, and the transmission of an alternative reality shaped by technology.

Inspired by the transformative impact of digital media on interpersonal relationships, "VIRE" examines the transition from tangible, face-to-face communication to a realm dominated by electronic interfaces. Through this lens, the work reflects on how our connections are reshaped, fragmented, and sometimes enriched by the digital tools we now rely on.

The installation features four screens and four speakers arranged symmetrically, creating an immersive environment. At its core is a recorded web chat conversation among four unrelated individuals who, outside the virtual realm, remain strangers. Viewers are invited to take an active role in the installation, becoming participants in the unfolding interplay.

Interactivity is central to "VIRE." Motion sensors link the movements of viewers to the on-screen narrative. Each screen corresponds to a specific motion sensor, requiring at least two viewers to activate their respective sensors for the chat room conversation to materialize audibly and visually. This dependency between participants mirrors the nature of real-time, in-person connections, emphasizing the uniqueness of shared physical space in fostering authentic engagement.

To reveal the complete chat—a conversation involving all four participants—requires the simultaneous presence and collaboration of four individuals in the gallery space. This necessity underscores the concept of interpersonal interdependence that thrives exclusively in real-time, shared physical environments. However, the installation also accommodates solitary observers, offering them an introspective experience. For these viewers, "VIRE" becomes a meditation on technology’s dual capacity to isolate and connect, highlighting the complex interplay between digital networks and the human pursuit of meaningful connection.