Are you a fan of dragons? 🐉 As we celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome in the Year of the Dragon we feature Ivan Sun in our People who make the DIF series. Ivan Sun is a Malaysian-born, Bendigo-based multimedia artist, software engineer, and educator who has bridged the gap between software engineering and real-world applications. His portfolio encompasses a range of multimedia art, virtual reality experiences, creative workshops and projects that integrate art, technology and education. After relocating to Bendigo in 2020, he engaged with the local creative and tech community through initiatives like ACMI Emporium Creative Hub's incubator and Startup Central Victoria's pre-accelerator program. Recently, Ivan secured a grant from Regional Arts Victoria for a collaboration with the Golden Dragon Museum. His mission? To channel his creative prowess to narrate the tale of Loong, the world's oldest surviving Imperial Processional Dragon. We sat down with Ivan ahead of his event, Muse of Dragons - The (Virtual) Story of Loong, to learn about his creative and technological process. Image: Muse of Dragons - The (Virtual) Story of Loong Can you share how your background as a software engineer and educator has influenced your approach to multimedia art and virtual reality? There is a formidable set of technical requirements for developing work in virtual reality, and the skillbase required is ever-evolving and improving. My background does provide advantages for working in this area. I tend to be more generalised in my VR technical uptake for now, to learn a wide range of skills so that I can work more independently though I do not discount studio work or other collaboration moving forwards. My background helps me identify any current limitations and to create works within what I can do. Conversely, if there is a set project objective, I have confidence in identifying the different elements, then approaching the goal step by step. Apart from this, as an educator of over 20 years, I hope to create works that inspire the audience about the wonders of the human imagination. What sparked your interest in combining technology and art to create virtual reality experiences, particularly focusing on the Chinese dragons at Bendigo's museum? For my current project with Bendigo's Golden Dragon Museum, there was wonderful timing involved. I have a passion for modelling heritage 19th century architecture in my virtual projects, so I was on the phone with a coordinator from Regional Arts Victoria (RAV), pitching ideas for the next round of grant funding. Coincidentally, the Golden Dragon Museum CEO had recently asked RAV about artists who can create new and innovative works relating to the museum collection. So, the RAV coordinator encouraged me to talk to the museum, great advice which I promptly followed up on. The CEO listened to my pitch about Bendigo architecture then told me that what the museum board really wanted was someone to tell the story of their most prized artifacts, the processional dragons. It took me a minute or two to have a "eureka moment!" A digital work telling the story of the processional dragons would involve them parading within a backdrop of Victorian architecture... The RAV funded project I'm working on is centred on Loong, the world's oldest surviving intact imperial processional dragon that resides in the museum. I will be delivering three elements: a digital interactive quiz for the museum visitors, a short documentary film and with other creative collaborators, a sound experience for the visually impaired. Could you tell us more about your company, the Bauhaus Metaverse? Inspired by the ethos and the creative energy of the historic Bauhaus school in the Weimar republic, I founded the Bauhaus Metaverse for new VR-based projects: art works, experiences and software products that integrate art, technology and education. Some of my previous virtual reality art installations have been centered around working with virtual communities where I coordinated art and virtual museum installations where I not only produced new work, but also mentored others to learn new creative or 3d modeling techniques. The Bauhaus Metaverse has a trademark pending. I hope we will launch when this is finalised! Image: Bauhaus Metaverse VR-scape Virtual reality is a relatively new medium for artistic expression. How do you see it changing or enhancing the way audiences interact with and experience art? Companies that sell hardware (or software or platforms) tend to redefine virtual reality to align with what they are offering, as part of their marketing. As detailed in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash by the American writer Neal Stephenson, virtual reality can range from a flat screen video display to an environment deployed using special glasses or goggles. What matters more than technology or the realism of the VR details, is how the experience touches the hearts and minds of the audience. Bendigo has a reputation as an innovative town which has both a rich history of art and technology. What do you think makes Bendigo unique in terms of art and technology? As an 'edtech creative' working in regional Victoria, I have benefitted from different programs like ACMI's Emporium Creative Hub incubator program, and Startup Central Victoria's pre-accelerator program. There is a strong sense of interest and willingness to support the work of newcomers from established industry members as well as peers. Credit to the wonderful individuals behind those two programs I mentioned for helping me connect with local industry leaders and practitioners and helping me find the collaborators I need for my projects to thrive. Find out more about attending Muse of Dragons - The (Virtual) Story of Loong, presented by Golden Dragon Museum and La Trobe Art Institute, Bendigo on Saturday, 10 Februrary 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00
Dr James Mullins (FLAIM Systems) and The Hon John Brumby AO (Breakthrough Victoria) Photo Breakthrough Victoria Investing in Virtual Reality Technology to Make Firefighting Safer Breakthrough Victoria is helping to make training safer for firefighters and the environment with its investment in a Victorian company behind the world’s first fully immersive virtual firefighting training system. Breakthrough Victoria, an investment company established by the Victorian Government to drive innovation in Victoria, today announced it will invest $5 million in FLAIM Systems. The company has developed an immersive virtual training system that replicates the stress and uncertainty of real-world firefighting situations. From bushfires in remote locations to fires on aircraft, industrial sites and residential properties, FLAIM Systems has created 80 different virtual reality (VR) training scenarios that allow firefighters to train across different situations with no risk to their health or the environment. VR training reduces firefighters’ exposure to potentially carcinogenic substances in training, like PFAS foam. It also benefits the environment by reducing water consumption, carbon emissions and PFAS foam usage. The FLAIM Trainer combines a VR headset with haptic technology, creating a kinaesthetic ‘feels-real’ experience by applying force feedback to the user. This includes simulating an operational fire hose and a thermal vest that reproduces the heat firefighters would experience from the direction of the fire. It also uses innovative real-time data to track performance against training outcomes. This includes task completion time, stress levels and air and water usage. It can also sense where the trainee is moving and looking within the scenario, as well as how they position themselves and interact with virtual objects such as gas meters, electrical boxes, or the fire itself. With more than 10 million professional and volunteer firefighters globally, this technology has the potential to make training safer for firefighters and the environment around the world. FLAIM Systems is already working with emergency services agencies, defence and private enterprise in Australia, the USA and UK. Breakthrough Victoria’s investment will support the company to expand its operations internationally and further develop its technology, creating 25 new jobs by 2026. FLAIM Systems was born out of Deakin University in 2019. Chief Technical Officer and Founding Researcher, Dr James Mullins, was able to apply his knowledge as a third-generation rural Victorian firefighter to his research into robotics engineering and virtual training capabilities. “Firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. This innovation in virtual reality training will help keep them safe during training and provide the experience they need on the frontline. We see a real potential for this world-first Victorian technology to be adopted by emergency services agencies around the world, which is exactly what we look for in our investments – innovation that can be commercialised to deliver sustainable returns and make a difference in people’s lives.” Breakthrough Victoria Chair, the Hon. John Brumby AO About FLAIM Systems Pty Ltd FLAIM Systems has developed the world’s first multi-sensory immersive learning solution for firefighters to replicate the stress and uncertainty of real-world emergency situations safely and cost-effectively in safe virtual environments. The company’s FLAIM Trainer is the world’s first immersive technology enabled firefighter training solution. FLAIM Trainer combines high fidelity virtual hazardous fire environments, audio, and industry standard equipment to deliver a fully immersive, multi-sensory, physical experience that enables firefighters to train more, learn more and be better prepared for the risks they face when delivering their service to the community. Workplace Safety: FIRE is the world-leading end-to-end solution for fire safety training. It immerses trainees in a multi-sensory, kinaesthetic experience, using the FLAIM Extinguisher prop, Vive Focus VR headset, a comprehensive library of immersive fire safety scenarios and FLAIM’s world-leading fire behaviour to enhance learner competency, improve organisational compliance and deliver certified training outcomes. Founded in 2019 and based in Victoria, Australia, today FLAIM Systems continues to pioneer solutions to improve the safety and performance of all those who respond to fire, rescue, and emergency situations. About Breakthrough Victoria Breakthrough Victoria is an investment company established in 2021 to manage the Victorian Government’s $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund. It invests in innovation for impact – supporting companies to commercialise new technologies that will create jobs and investment in Victoria and have a positive impact on people’s lives. Originally published by Breakthrough Victoria on 29 March 2023
Image: Ron Mueck artwork at the NGV International Creativity and technology combine to see world-class artworks adorn Melbourne’s arts precinct with the launch of AR. Trail. A collaboration between Fed Square, Koorie Heritage Trust, ACMI and NGV that has created the city’s largest, free augmented reality (AR) art trail. The cutting-edge art experience features 22 digital works with new commissions by celebrated Australian artists Reko Rennie, Ron Mueck and Patricia Piccinini, alongside a star-studded line-up of international artists including KAWS, Olafur Eliasson, Cao Fei, Koo Jeong A, Nina Chanel Abney and David Shrigley. Art lovers can download the app for free on their smartphone, and discover a menu of virtual artworks, ranging from small sculptures to architectural-sized moving images. A new interactive augmented reality experience has arrived in Melbourne’s CBD, supporting city traders by offering visitors more reasons to stay longer and see more. Marking the first time AR.Trail has been in Australia, the experience is developed in partnership with renowned London-based digital art organisation Acute Art – known for delivering a string of highly successful augmented reality exhibitions in Singapore, New York, London, Tokyo and more. To view the pieces, you’ll need to download the Acute Art app via the Apple Store and Google Play and follow the instructions along the trail. With sites located at Fed Square, ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Koorie Heritage Trust and NGV International, it’s an exhibition not to be missed. AR. Trail opened on 22 August and has been extended to Sunday 2 October. Image: Post shared by Fed Square (@fed.square) Share your AR.Trail Experience to Win! Share your own pictures of your experiences on the AR.Trail for your chance to win an incredible art-lovers prize pack! The prize pack is worth $AUD230, and includes: 1 x Skateboard Skulls, a skateboard deck featuring artwork by Ron Mueck 1 x KAWS: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness (art book) 1 x David Shrigley: The Life Model (art book) How to enter: Enter by posting a picture of you on the AR.Trail, via Instagram or The People’s Place, before 30 September, 2022. Be sure to tag #ARTrail and @fed.square (the latter only if entering via Instagram) Show us your personality – we love to hear what you thought of the experience and see your creative pictures! We’ll draw a winner the week following the competition close date and be in touch. See here for full competition Ts&Cs. Good luck! Supported by: AR.Trail has been supported through the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, a partnership between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne. Presented by: Originally published on Creative Victoria 22 August 2022