3D Asset and Environment Design

“Minde-scape” is a non-interactive VR experience which explores escapism from internal conflict caused by social pressures. By exploring my own experiences of belonging to different, conflicting social circles as an LGBTQ+ semi-Catholic Asian-Australian, and my own tendencies to escape into the world of fiction, gaming, and fandom, I hope my work will resonate with others.

The concept of the cage exists in three different senses in Mindscape. The birdcage which houses a flame symbolising the self, represents how a society and its unwritten rules limit individual expression, often causing emotional distress. The more identities one has, the more cages they have. The library not only represents escapism through fiction and the learning of different worldviews, but also the mind, the second cage: We are often our worst critic, and we are often afraid to do what we long to do for fear of rejection. The ribcage represents the pain of inner conflict, the suppression of ourselves when we live for others, and the loss of self when we submit to the rules of a society. The mind-cage breaks as you leave the cavern and the world breaks apart into free nothingness. The work repeats, symbolising that the process of self-discovery, empowerment and acceptance is a long and repetitive journey.

 

This work was created using Maya, Substance Painter, Unity, Krita and Audacity.

Personal Subscription Music License for Epidemic sound. Work accessed: Jon Algar, “Magical Garden”, courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com