{"id":22788,"date":"2024-09-25T16:27:35","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T21:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/?p=22788"},"modified":"2024-09-25T17:11:05","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T22:11:05","slug":"angel-aparicios-virtual-reality-360-video-earns-deans-award-in-fresh-forward-student-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/25\/angel-aparicios-virtual-reality-360-video-earns-deans-award-in-fresh-forward-student-exhibition\/","title":{"rendered":"Angel Aparicio’s Virtual Reality 360 Video Earns Dean’s Award In ‘Fresh Forward’ Student Exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Angel Aparicio received the Dean\u2019s Selection Award at the closing reception for the \u201cFresh Forward\u201d student exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual Wright Gallery<\/a> exhibition features student projects from the Texas A&M College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts<\/a> and College of Architecture<\/a> from summer 2023 through spring 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aparicio created a virtual reality 360 video performance for mobile devices titled \u201cLook Around<\/a>.\u201d When viewers played the video on YouTube, they could put their phones up and move it around to see a virtual reality setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The video features a fantasy character, played by Aparicio\u2019s brother, who sits and blinks in a fantasy world surrounded by animated figures. Aparicio recorded the video with a 360 camera and used animation and virtual reality tools to edit. He said he enjoyed exploring technology in a new way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never really had any experience working with 360 footage before this,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was really cool to experience especially because you can move it around, and it\u2019s cooler than a stationary video because you become the character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aparicio said he hopes viewers explore the details within the virtual environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a very trippy world,\u201d Aparicio said. \u201cIt has elements and inspirations from \u2018Alice in Wonderland,\u2019 and is just a journey where you just have to look around. I hope those who watch it really slow down a little bit, take a breather and look around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLook Around\u201d was created in the Performance in Virtual and Augmented Realities course taught by Merli V. Guerra<\/a>, assistant professor of Dance Technology in the Dance Science<\/a> program. Guerra said Aparicio, a senior Communications student, showed a \u201cgenuine curiosity and desire\u201d to immerse himself in the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2019Look Around\u2019 beautifully exemplifies the goals of this course: to engage participants in a visceral experience while exploring the performer’s role in virtual environments,\u201d she said. \u201cAngel has created a work that is at once mysterious, introspective, humorous and inviting. I am delighted and impressed by his attention to costuming, including traditional masks, site-specific filming and the addition of stop-motion animated characters. He has set the bar high for future iterations of this course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dean Tim McLaughlin<\/a> said Aparicio\u2019s project expands on what the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts can do across disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis combination of performing arts and visual arts is a great example of why the college was established and how we\u2019re working to engage students around emerging forms of interdisciplinary art combined with technology,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebecca Pugh<\/a>, instructional assistant professor and Wright Gallery curator, said it\u2019s rewarding to provide students with an opportunity to exhibit their work in an art gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe participation of several students in the gallery tour was a highlight,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was great to have students talk about their projects with a large crowd of visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional award recognition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n