Witness Blanket VR Experience Expands to Multi-User Format

Carey Newman's Witness Blanket, an art installation created over a decade ago, has been adapted into a multi-user virtual reality (VR) experience. Initially a physical piece featuring reclaimed items from residential schools, it has previously been made accessible through an online platform and a single-user VR version. The latest development, a collaboration with Camosun College, introduces a multi-user VR environment designed for classroom use and broader public engagement.

This enhanced VR experience allows users to interact directly with 3D scanned replicas of the objects. Unlike previous versions where users could view items and their associated stories, the multi-user format enables more dynamic interaction, including objects transforming back to their original forms when virtually handled. The project aims to guide users through specific themes related to the residential school experience, such as hunger, disconnection from language, and loneliness, by linking these narratives to the objects within the installation.

Artist Carey Newman hopes this technological evolution will further educate the public about the legacy of residential schools and foster meaningful dialogue. The VR experience is intended to be a valuable educational tool for both museum exhibitions and academic settings, ensuring the stories of survivors continue to reach new audiences. Newman expressed a commitment to adapting the Witness Blanket in ways that keep its message alive and counter historical denialism.

Newman also discussed ongoing projects, including 'Totem 2.0,' a sustainable art piece constructed from second-growth cedar, reflecting his continued commitment to innovative and environmentally conscious artistic expression.