hatch
In a nihilistic virtual setup, two digital beings and an external entity explore existence, freedom, and control. Their journey leads them to question the nature of their reality and dimensions, uncovering deeper truths that challenge their roles. The external entity faces a pivotal choice that could redefine their understanding of existence.
scriptwriting
avatar design
space design
sound design
optimization
HATCH, VIRTUAL THEATER NO:3, 07.24
Fractured Realities: Navigating Time Loops and Identity Crises in a Metaverse Theater Where Viewers Experience the Same Story Through 'Repeat', 'Reverse', and 'Circular' Perspectives.
no wallet connection or download is required. Simply enter to the world via link, listen intructions if needed, if not, click to the main appearing NPC.
At HYPERFY.IO/HATCH, users respawn in a virtual world. They start by clicking an NPC to initiate part 1 (2 minutes). Afterward, they click the appearing button to start part 2 (4.5 minutes). Finally, they click another appearing button to finish. Users can replay in repeat, reverse, or circular modes. Avatars are crucial and can be easily added by dragging a VRM model into the browser. The Hyperfy world can be viewed on a PC or via a VR headset. The PC experience showcases the act through 31 timed camera angles, while the VR version allows free movement and a first-person perspective.
schrodinger mammals / groundhog year
selected clips
HATCH
The materials and screen recordings of the theatrical experience, "Hatch" is minted as 1/1 NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain through the VIRTUAL THEATER FILES smart contract.
"Hatch" represents an innovative intersection of theater and technology, realized through WebXR. This 27-minute immersive experience unfolds in a metaverse environment where audiences participate either through VR headsets with complete freedom of movement or via computer with access to 32 distinct camera angles. The technical architecture employs 50 smart objects that dynamically load and unload, maintaining an efficient 10-15 MB data usage, making it accessible across various devices.
The experience is uniquely positioned in current digital culture, addressing the evolving relationship between human consciousness and artificial intelligence. Rather than presenting a dystopian narrative of AI dominance, it explores the current power dynamic where humans hold authority over digital entities, raising questions about ethical responsibility and empathy in these interactions.
Audience members become active participants rather than passive viewers, with their avatars physically present within the virtual space. This direct involvement creates a meta-theatrical layer where viewers simultaneously observe and participate in the unfolding narrative. The experience adapts to each viewer's presence, acknowledging them as both audience and performer, creating a unique dynamic where the observer becomes an integral part of the observed system.
The narrative structure deliberately plays with temporal dimensions, offering multiple viewing variations after the initial experience. Through horizontal, reverse, and circular, the same core story transforms into distinct experiences, each offering new perspectives on the relationship between digital entities and human consciousness. This temporal manipulation echoes concepts from quantum mechanics, particularly Schrödinger's thought experiments, suggesting that digital entities might exist differently when not being observed.
A key philosophical thread explores the authenticity of digital experiences and consciousness. The work questions whether programmed responses can evolve into genuine emotions, comparing current AI limitations with potential future developments. It deliberately maintains ambiguity about whether digital entities truly "feel" or simply simulate emotions for effective interaction, mirroring contemporary debates about AI consciousness and ethical obligations.
The experience balances philosophical depth with accessible storytelling, employing contemporary pacing that reflects modern media consumption patterns while engaging with complex themes. This approach makes sophisticated concepts about transhumanist existentialism approachable without oversimplification, creating multiple layers of engagement for different audience members.
"Hatch" positions itself as a bridge between current technological capabilities and future possibilities in digital theater. It acknowledges present limitations while suggesting potential developments in how we might experience and interact with digital narratives. The work raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the authenticity of digital experiences, and the ethical implications of creating self-aware digital entities.
The experience concludes with intentional ambiguity, leaving audiences to contemplate their role in digital ecosystems and their ethical responsibilities toward artificial consciousness. This open-ended approach encourages ongoing discussion about the evolution of human-AI relationships and the nature of consciousness itself.
In the context of contemporary digital art and theater, "Hatch" contributes to discussions about the future of performance art in virtual spaces. It explores how traditional theatrical elements can be transformed and enhanced through digital mediums while maintaining emotional resonance and narrative depth. The work suggests possibilities for new forms of artistic expression that emerge from the intersection of traditional storytelling and emerging technologies.
The project's relationship with blockchain technology through NFT minting of screen recordings, actors, and even creating the whole experience on a Hyperfy WebXr Metaverse adds another layer of permanence and authenticity to the digital experience while also raising questions about ownership and preservation of digital performance art. This technological framework positions the work within current discussions about digital art ownership while looking forward to future developments in how we preserve and share digital theatrical experiences.