Germany (in production) – Virtual Reality Installation
Screening: KHM Rundgang till 07.07.24
Stay tuned for further screening dates.
An Étale Films production with Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln.
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Environment Designer: Taimy Valdéz
Unreal Engine Developer:
Shipeng Ouyeng
Interactive Designer:
Christopher Theophanous
Sound Designer: Pedro Ramírez
Sound Producer: Saulo Fernández
3d Animator: Nathan Schönewolf
Technical Advisors:
Shuree Sarantuya
Cristian Cuevas
The Room of a Thousand Voices is an immersive mixed-reality work that
transports viewers into the microcosm of an elderly, isolated man’s lifelong
room in Cuba. Through several non-linear experiences, participants dive into
an intimate network of emotional connections where reality and fiction
intertwine. This hybrid realm invites the audience to step into the character’s
shoes and delve into the vivid visions and memories he has woven into the
objects within his room, blending installation and virtual reality. Despite
his profound isolation, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, seeking
acceptance and reconciliation with his existence.
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Director: Pavel Mendez
In our fast-paced and overstimulated lives, our connection with physical
space often gets overshadowed. Our senses are constantly overwhelmed by
an onslaught of distractions, leaving little opportunity to engage with the
unique essence of our surroundings. Attention remains fixated on superficial
aspects, depriving us of the chance to witness the profound richness inherent
in the mundane. The tangible world becomes too slow for individuals accustomed to the easy rush of dopamine-triggering experiences.
The work is set in Cuba, a low-tech, isolated island with reduced economic
development. Scarcity, limited housing, and the absence of consumer culture
have fostered a profound relationship between people and their belongings
and living spaces. As a result, houses subtly become dynamic vessels that
carry the history of multiple generations. Within this context, this piece focus on the experience of an elder man confined to an isolated room devoid of internet, telecommunications, and human contact.
Through a playful and
participatory approach, viewers can immerse themselves in the character’s
micro-universe, exploring his lifelong environment and delving into the
intimate realm of his possessions, memories, and the intricate web of
connections within the immediate phenomena of the room. In this solipsistic refuge, life manifests through an interplay of lights, sounds, objects, fears, and profound affections, which substitutes the absence of human contact.
The Room of a Thousand Voices is a tribute to a slower and more mindful way of living that is threatened by the increasing disorientation and fragmentation of modern society. By providing a gateway to reconnect with the richness of our surroundings, it prompts reflection on the impact of our digital-centric lives, reminding us of the value of genuine engagement with the physical world. The aim is to reignite a profound appreciation for the intricate tapestry of our proximate environment, urging us to reclaim our focus, presence, and the depth of emotional experience within them.
Special thanks:
Zil Lilas, Martin Nawrath, Friedrich Boell, Hani Gimna, Ernesto Ramírez, Sonia Leliukh, Sepp Liebisch, Salvador Revelo, Thilo Seifert, Karin Lignau.