Laurie Anderson on VR: 'Chalkroom' Frees the Body
In an interview with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Laurie Anderson discusses her virtual reality work 'Chalkroom' (2017), created with Taiwanese artist and programmer Hsin-Chien Huang. The piece aims to subvert VR conventions by immersing viewers in a dark, labyrinthine universe made of words—some chalked on walls, others flying in the air forming images and objects. Users navigate by flying, guided by Anderson's voice. She describes the experience as tactile and handmade, the opposite of synthetic VR. Anderson and Huang have also collaborated on 'Sand Room', presented at the Venice Film Festival's new VR section. Anderson sees VR as a dream come true, synthesizing her lifelong pursuits in music, sculpture, and film to achieve complete disembodiment.
Key facts
- Laurie Anderson created 'Chalkroom' in 2017.
- The work is a virtual reality piece.
- It was made in collaboration with Hsin-Chien Huang.
- The VR universe is dark and labyrinthine, composed of words.
- Users fly through the space, guided by Anderson's voice.
- Anderson describes the piece as tactile and handmade.
- A second collaboration, 'Sand Room', was shown at the Venice Film Festival.
- Anderson views VR as fulfilling her desire to be free from the body.
Entities
Artists
- Laurie Anderson
- Hsin-Chien Huang
Institutions
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
- Artribune
- Venice Film Festival
Locations
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Venice
- Italy