Desertesejo
Desertesejo is a digital art project by Gilbertto Prado, developed at Program New Media Directions - Itaú Cultural, São Paulo, Brazil in 2000. Using VRML technology, the project is a networked virtual environment, that allows 50 participants simultaneously on-line through the web browser.
Desertesejo is a poetical exploration of geographical extension, the temporary ruptures, the loneliness, the constant re-invention and the proliferation of points of meeting and sharing. On entering the virtual environment, the traveler comes across a cave which has rocks falling gently from the ceiling. Any of these rocks can be clicked on.
In 2014, a virtual restoration was commissioned, being perhaps the first virtual artwork restoration in the world. This time, using Unity 3D, some 3D assets were remastered, other were completely remade and the programming was made from scratch. With one of the largest environments I've worked at the time, it was a big challenge to develop and optimize the project with new visuals to run in the web browser.
The project was exhibited again in the Itaú Cultural and later in different international events. This project is one of the most relevant ones in my professional life as not only if pushed me to learn and solve complex technical challenges, but it also put me in direct touch with the digital art world.
Desertesejo is a poetical exploration of geographical extension, the temporary ruptures, the loneliness, the constant re-invention and the proliferation of points of meeting and sharing. On entering the virtual environment, the traveler comes across a cave which has rocks falling gently from the ceiling. Any of these rocks can be clicked on.
In 2014, a virtual restoration was commissioned, being perhaps the first virtual artwork restoration in the world. This time, using Unity 3D, some 3D assets were remastered, other were completely remade and the programming was made from scratch. With one of the largest environments I've worked at the time, it was a big challenge to develop and optimize the project with new visuals to run in the web browser.
The project was exhibited again in the Itaú Cultural and later in different international events. This project is one of the most relevant ones in my professional life as not only if pushed me to learn and solve complex technical challenges, but it also put me in direct touch with the digital art world.
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A further remaster to new medias
A couple of years after the first remastered release, Unity3D launched an improved version that allowed better looking lighting and shading, with higher-resolution textures and real-time of the day features. With that, a new and improved version was made for Desktop and VR, bringing a whole new approach to the experience and now letting people immerse themselves in the virtual world. A 360 video experience was also made for mobile phones.
The VR version was quite challenging to develop at the time since it was made only a few months after the commercial release of the 1st generation of the HTC Vive headset. which meant that no documentation or ready-made plugins existed back then, leaving us to discover and invent different interaction and compatibility solutions. The programming was made by João Amadeu, who was able to better optimize the 3D world and discover how to program for VR back then.
The VR version was quite challenging to develop at the time since it was made only a few months after the commercial release of the 1st generation of the HTC Vive headset. which meant that no documentation or ready-made plugins existed back then, leaving us to discover and invent different interaction and compatibility solutions. The programming was made by João Amadeu, who was able to better optimize the 3D world and discover how to program for VR back then.