From March 20th (Friday, public holiday) to 22nd (Sunday), the research lab of Associate Professor Zhao Rui of Faculty of Art and Design Department of Fine Arts and Media Sciences of Arts, held a 360° 3DVR video screening event at Branch Fukuoka Shimohara (Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City) with the aim of contributing to society through art.
This event is an industry-academia collaborative charity project aimed at raising funds for the "Ronald McDonald House Fukuoka (located within Fukuoka Children's Hospital)," a lodging facility that supports children battling illness and their families, through the screening of 360° 3DVR video works created by students.
The dome-shaped theater set up at the venue screened "Into the Mysterious World of the Sea," an original work planned and produced by the students. As it was a three-day weekend, the venue was bustling with many families. Children who wore special goggles and experienced the immersive 360° visuals cheered, saying things like, "It really feels like we're in the ocean!" and "It was fun when the fish came right in front of us!" Their eyes lit up as they enjoyed the artistic experience created by the latest technology.
The students took the lead in setting up the equipment, making final adjustments for the screening, explaining the project outline to attendees, and appealing for charity support. With the cooperation of partner companies including P.B. Systems Co., Ltd. (Fukuoka City), they personally experienced the process of how their creative activities directly contribute to society.
Riko Watanabe (Hakata Seisho High School), a third-year student in the same department and one of the project members, reflected on the activity, saying, "This was my first time creating content for children, so I looked for ways to create surprising and discovering presentations by referring to picture books and other materials. The process of thinking about how to make the most of the characteristics of the latest equipment in the work was very educational, and being able to see the reactions of visitors directly at the venue made me realize the potential of digital technology and art to create communication. I also feel that I was able to cultivate a multifaceted perspective and the ability to move things forward smoothly through coordination with people from companies, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to contribute to society through the creation of this work."
The generous donations (admission fees) received from visitors will be sent to the Ronald McDonald House Fukuoka at a later date.
*Immersive 3D video that allows you to look around in all 360 degrees.
[Department of Fine Arts and Media Sciences]
