An experimental mixed reality performance created in partnership with USC.

This work invited one audience member to attend in person and in virtual reality, while ten other participated via zoom. The premise was an experiment to make contact with alien life by entangling the hosts mind with an alien on a quantum level. The group conducting the experiment was called the All Worlds Citizen Science Group. Their attempt at connecting to alien life took place in virtual reality, with the one IRL audience member going into VR while the zoom participants watched.

There were surveys given filled out by the zoom participants prior to the zoom call. During the performance the zoom audience was broken into one on one rooms where they asked each other questions. Answers to these questions were filled into surveys and the answers were then worked into the show.

While this was a silly show I was exploring the idea that connecting is inherently good. Silicon valley was full of optimism about this, particularly Facebook. Now we’ve seen the many downsides and difficulties of what happens when you connect everyone without considering the risks. The All Worlds Citizen Science Group are full of this optimism as they unwittingly summon a cosmic horror into their minds. The more we are connected, the greater the chance of it spreading. Like a virus that uses our need to care for each other as a way to spread. Virality and connection, themes that were hard to avoid in a work that was a response to lockdown and the political climate of the day.