The main objective of this research-creation is to investigate how the medium-specificities of Virtual Reality could be employed to foster a particular type of Naqqāli (dramatic form of storytelling in Iranian traditional culture) known as Pardeh Khani (literally: reading off curtain/screen). This practice has been overshadowed by the advent of cinema in Iran during the 1900s, and Naqqāli was inscribed on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2011.
Possible ways of re-media-ting this cultural tradition utilizing the unique perceptual qualities of scale/proportions in VR is the central question of the research. Experimentation and studies of this inquiry has been conducted through three main avenues: scale and visceral effects, scale/interactivity and embodiment, scale and affective effects in the absence of cinematic shot framing.
The creation content of this project was supposed to be showcased in the INTERSTICE design research exhibition at the end of April 2020 which was cancelled due to the pandemic. A more detailed description of the project is instead available in the online version of the exhibition (please refer to the link below).
Supported by: Hexagram, Milieux, TAG