FAC Connect programme

March marked a pivotal moment for our Associate Artists as they embarked on a life-changing journey to SXSW 2024 as part of the FAC Connect programme. 

As part of Future Art and Culture Connect, our artists got to turn the mirror back on their project pitches, demos and prototypes – developed with the help of B3 Media – over four days of thought-provoking discussions, immersive events, and networking sessions with industry professionals from around the world. 

We started the festival in typical B3 fashion: throwing ourselves in the deep end! Our Associate Artists were up for the challenge, appearing as participants in the UK Immersive panel session at the FAC Connect XR launch event, where they walked an international audience of XR practitioners and enthusiasts through their projects and the inspiration behind them.

Comfort Arthur’s interactive short film and VR experience, Unwanted Guests, is an immersive journey that leverages the power of virtual reality to illuminate the often-overlooked struggles of Black men’s mental health.

Marcus Joseph’s Jazz Maze VR is an interactive, immersive comic book experience that illuminates the power of jazz. Inspired by his own journey, it explores themes of oppression and liberation through storytelling, music, and spoken word.

Jeremiah Brown’s immersive digital archive, “LIKKLE Archive XR” preserves the stories of Black British Caribbean Elders.

Dzifa Benson’s “Exhibition of a Real Life Wonder” is a first-person VR experience that invites users into the experiences of the historical figure Saartjie Baartman, also known as the Hottentot Venus.

Putting a project up for critique isn’t easy for any artist, let alone those showing early-stage work, but we’re proud of Comfort, Dzifa, Jeremiah and Marcus for not letting fear get in their way. For Dzifa, presenting at SXSW was a great way to break the ice with people who had already seen her talk about her work.

Marcus Joseph 

Musician / Spoken-Word Artist

Immersive Insights: A Dive into SXSW 2024

“It was within the immersive realms of VR that I discovered a profound sense of creative liberation,” effectively captures the transformative impact of the festival on his artistic journey.”

SXSW 2024 will forever be etched in my memory as a whirlwind of inspiration, innovation, and endless networking opportunities.

The festivities kicked off with a bang at the Official SXSW XR Opening Party held at the Thompson Hotel. Here, I had the privilege of joining a panel alongside my fellow B3 Media cohort for the FAC event. Each of us had the chance to showcase our respective projects, diving headfirst into the world of Extended Reality (XR) and forging connections within the industry. My project, “Jazz Maze VR” is an interactive, autobiographical comic book brought to life through my music and spoken word, and the theatrical imagination of BetaJester. Thanks to the warm welcome from Crispin and Dan, it felt like we were instantly embraced into the FAC family.

Among the myriad highlights of the festival was witnessing Skepta’s captivating discussion at The British Embassy, where he delved into his latest cinematic venture, ‘Tribal Mark’. Yet, it was within the immersive realms of VR that I discovered a profound sense of creative liberation. “Soul Paint” stood out. It was a mesmerising experience, allowing participants to not only visually create but also audibly express themselves, capturing their voices in the artwork. It was a moment of pure artistic freedom that left a lasting impression.

Spending time with my B3 Media cohort was nothing short of enriching. Led by the ever-supportive Marc, we formed our own tight-knit community within the bustling SXSW landscape. From shared meals to regular check-ins, it felt like we had found a home away from home—a sanctuary amidst the chaos.

SXSW provided the perfect backdrop for unparalleled networking opportunities. Engaging with a diverse array of industry professionals, I found myself immersed in thought-provoking conversations and forging connections that transcended the confines of the festival grounds.

The tech-centric focus of this year’s event offered a fresh perspective, allowing me to explore a side of SXSW that I had yet to fully uncover.

Reflecting on my time at SXSW, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences shared and the connections made. It was a journey marked by moments of awe, camaraderie, and personal growth.

SXSW 2024 may have come to a close, but its impact resonates deeply within me, serving as a catalyst for future endeavours and reminding me of the transformative power of community and creativity in the ever-evolving landscape of XR.

Dzifa Benson

(Writer / Producer / Performance Maker)

After SXSW 2024 - A Real Life Validation

“I always thought of my project as a way to bring different people closer together, but after SXSW, I think of it more and more as an ‘empathy machine’ designed to foster understanding and compassion through stepping into the body and identity of a black woman.”

My project, “Exhibition of a Real Life Wonder” is a first-person perspective VR experience about the showgirl Saartjie Baartman, also known as the Hottentot Venus. It may have started as a way to counter the reduction of black women in society at large, but my trip to SXSW has thrown my ideas into even sharper relief. It has helped me not only tighten up the way I talk about my project but also think about it more expansively. I hope it can be a project in which everybody can ponder how they perceive other people in relation to themselves.

This enhanced way of thinking started just a few hours after I landed in Austin when I took part in a panel discussion at Future Art and Culture’s official opening night at Thompson Hotel on Saturday, 9th March. As I spoke about my project, I surprised myself by how much my ideas about it had coalesced and grown in substance in the few short weeks since I’d been accepted onto the FAC programme.

The next couple of days were spent taking part in as many XR experiences as possible. This was such a revelatory thing to do as it felt like an important R&D undertaking as I sought to discover insights into multi-sensory storytelling. Each new XR experience I tried added to the layers of my understanding of how I could shape my own project. Pouloumi Basu’s Maya: The Birth of a Superhero focused my mind on how the nuances of a script facilitate instinctual interactivity in the viewer.

Some of my favourite XR experiences involve flying, so I was keen to have a go at Steye Hallema’s The Imaginary Friend to see how the point of view within the VR headset could be altered using viewer interactivity. Apparently, I was flapping my ‘wings’ so hard and fighting off monsters so enthusiastically that Steye was worried when I banged my arm against the back of my chair during the experience. What can I say? I like to throw myself completely into the fantasy. I blame, or more accurately, praise my theatre sensibilities!

Another eye-opening experience of how AR can combine with VR within the headset and how to maximise viewer interactivity in innovative ways was Anagram’s Impulse.

I also really enjoyed Madame Pirate: Code of Conduct for its pure theatricality and how it combined live action, figurines, and drawings in its presentation. Darren Emerson’s Letters from Drancy was also enlightening as a documentary VR experience. I was struck by how the camera angles carefully oriented the viewer and how powerfully cathartic it proved to be despite its traumatic source material. Although I didn’t have a chance to have a go on it, I had in-depth conversations with the makers of Vortex Cinema and watched a lot of it rendered on a laptop.

Even the VR projects that didn’t work so well had something to teach me about impactful XR. By far the most affecting VR installation for me was Soulpaint by Sarah Ticho because its setup and focus on the body echoes a lot of what I’m trying to do with my project. I think it was the closest to the embodied reality I hope to achieve in my project. I also really liked Adam Cole’s Kiss / Crash. Many of the artists I spoke to recognised me from the first night’s panel, so taking part in that was later helpful in breaking the ice with exhibitors.

It felt really important, as a way to centre myself geographically and allow my brain time to process all the creative stimulation of the XR installations, to venture away from the main drag of the festival and explore more of Austin with an excursion into South Congress. There, I made friends with many locals and discovered Allens Boots which had a mind-boggling array of cowboy boots for sale. I also really appreciated evenings spent at the British Music Embassy sessions at UK House - catching Skepta’s appearance there was an unexpected treat.

I made so many new friends and fresh connections at SXSW 2024, was creatively nourished and inspired, and now, I can't wait to crack on with pushing forward Exhibition of a Real Life Wonder, whose necessity feels more urgent than ever. The validation of being selected as part of FAC and going to SXSW 2024 has boosted my confidence substantially, especially as I’m still somewhat of a newbie within immersive technologies. It has enabled me to take a quantum leap of faith in what I believe I can achieve with “Exhibition of a Real Life Wonder.”

Comfort Arthur

(Animator / Writer / Director)

Unveiling the Magic: My First-Ever Adventure at SXSW!

“As I navigated through SXSW, I was mesmerized by the diversity of XR projects on display. It was inspiring to see how XR technology could be harnessed to tackle such important issues, sparking a fire within me to do the same for underrepresented communities.”

Every March, Austin, Texas, transforms into a hub of creativity, innovation, and inspiration as South by Southwest (SXSW) takes over the city. This year, I was fortunate enough to embark on an unforgettable journey to this renowned festival, where technology, music, film, and culture collide. From the moment I stepped foot in Austin, I could feel the electric energy beating through the streets. As I made my way through the bustling crowds, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer diversity of experiences awaiting me.

First stop on my whirlwind adventure was a walking tour organised by British Underground through the heart of downtown Texas. I found myself immersed in a whirlwind of networking opportunities. Rubbing shoulders with pioneers in the XR space from the UK, I felt a surge of excitement coursing through my veins. From swapping ideas to sharing laughs, it was a networking extravaganza like no other.

But, the real magic happened on opening night. As we took the stage to introduce our project, “Unwanted Guests” an interactive short film and AR experience that sheds light on mental health within the BAME community, to the XR industry, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement and nerves. The XR industry can be daunting for newcomers like us, but the panel discussion proved to be a game-changer. In the blink of an eye, our project was thrust into the spotlight, sparking conversations and connections that would shape the course of our journey.

As I navigated through SXSW, I was mesmerised by the diversity of XR projects on display. From “My Imaginary Friend”, “Impulse” to “Soul Paint” each immersive experience explored the depths of mental health in ways I never thought possible. It was inspiring to see how XR technology could be harnessed to tackle such important issues, sparking a fire within me to do the same for underrepresented communities.

And then, there was the emotional yet heartfelt XR documentary called “Letters from Drancy” about Marion Deichmann, a Holocaust survivor. Meeting her in person was a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit.

Of course, no trip to SXSW would be complete without indulging in the sights, sounds, and flavours of Austin. From savouring mouth-watering delicacies to grooving to the infectious rhythms of an Afrobeat event.

The highlight of the immersive event was “The Future Culture Takeover” where Karen Palmer’s session on diversity within AI stole the show. Her inclusive panel setup and thought-provoking discussion highlighted the importance of the future of diversity and inclusion within AI.

But the true highlight of my SXSW experience? The unforgettable company shared with fellow participants Dzifa, Marcus, and Jeremiah. From late-night adventures to impromptu dance parties, their infectious energy added an extra layer of magic to an already unforgettable journey.

Until we meet again, SXSW - keep shining bright, and may your magic continue to inspire generations to come.

Jeremiah Brown 

(Writer / Spoken-Word Artist / Actor)

Tech Makes Reality Pliable

“It’s increasingly more significant to me the importance of people in the pliability of reality. I want to see more people who look like me shaping our future realities too.”

I was part of the Future Art and Culture Connect programme due to a collaboration between British Underground and B3 Media. Shout out to both organisations; Crispin Parry, Dan Ford and Marc Boothe in particular. After a ten hour flight I went straight from the airport onto a panel to talk about the projects that were bringing us to SXSW. My project, “Go Back to Your Country” is an immersive digital archive of the experience of black British Caribbean elders. Poets, artists and storytellers will collaborate to document and engage with the experience of our elders. Starting off the trip talking about what brought us there was a great way to dive into the experience head first. Being up for almost twenty four hours straight wasn’t fun, but the game is the game so we move.

The following days were a whirlwind of XR experiences, talks, presentations and warm weather. My standout VR experiences were Soul Paint and Dreaming of Lebanon. Soul Paint uses body mapping, 3D drawing and movement to allow you to make embodied drawings of your emotions. It’s an incredibly cathartic experience with incredible utility for human wellbeing.

“Dreaming of Lebanon” is a documentary which utilises 360 degree filming and Quill, a VR illustration platform. The documentary centres three young people from Lebanon and its immersive nature helps to foster a true sense of empathy. It seems to me with the current state of geopolitics, the human capacity for empathy truly needs help.

As well as inspiring XR experiences, the talks and presentations were intriguing and powerful too. A number of the talks I attended were focused on AI. My engagement with AI has primarily been from a position of fear due to being an artist. It was interesting to hear more rounded and nuanced discussion on the topic.

That’s not to say we should heedlessly usher in an AI revolution but one of my main takeaways was the constant reminder technology is a tool. Brenda Chen saying “if you’re afraid, keep up to date with what's happening and make it work for you” resonated.

Attending SXSW was a reminder of how technology is constantly making reality more pliable. This is something technology has always done, XR VR AR AI and everything in between is merely the next iteration.

As this happens it seems to me that centering humanity and diverse human experience is paramount. Technology is the means by which we can mould our future realities. It’s therefore important that this is a collective human endeavour. We can’t centre humanity if large portions of it go unrepresented.

SXSW was a truly inspiring experience and this is only a small taste of what being out there was like. It’s increasingly more significant to me the importance of people in the pliability of reality. I want to see more people who look like me shaping our future realities too.