Performing the city in Cine VR: a collaborative spatial practice investigating the urban space of Singapore through performative acts

Abstract

This paper explores the use of Cinematic VR as a tool for performative interventions in public spaces within the context of modernist architecture in Singapore. The audio-visual experience interrogates the complex relationship among bodies, memories, and the urban environment. The research explores the narrative, cinematic, and acoustic strategies the film employs to immerse, perform, or navigate urban spaces, fostering awareness of the immediate surroundings. Critical inquiries include understanding the underlying acoustics of the urban fabric, the ability to evoke memories through sounds, and the dynamics of performing in public space for a 360 camera. Performing The City in Cine VR serves as a contemplation on the psycho-geographic dimensions of a city, examining points of view through 360° perspectives. It evaluates how the spatial setup influences audiences' experience in the VR headset. The urban space is analysed as a textured and layered text, incorporating elements such as fragments of songs, advertisements, and announcements referencing the space as a sonic experience. This research extends the understanding of the potential of Cinematic VR, particularly in exploring digital heritage and the interconnectedness of bodies, memories, and urban environments. It highlights the transformative impact of immersive storytelling in reshaping perceptions and relationships with the urban landscape, contributing to the evolving body of knowledge in this field.