XR OPEN CALL 2024

15.02.24–31.03.24

The XR Open Call 2024 is open to individuals and teams in Berlin from the artistic fields visual arts, music, literature, performing arts, design, photography, and video art.

We are looking for a strong artistic concept in combination with augmented, mixed and/or virtual reality. Thematically, we are eager to hear your ideas and topics – e.g., we see potential in the areas of:

  • Interaction with avatars beyond mere observation, optionally in combination with artificial intelligence
  • Connection of mixed and virtual reality with the Oculus Quest 2 + 3 and Quest Pro (here an example from our XR_Unites project with Quest 2).
  • Interactive storytelling
  • (Real-time) data visualiation
  • Audience as creators / co-creation
  • Shared cultural experience

Main target group is the independent culture scene in Berlin. Our expert jury will select one concept to be implemented during a fellowship of several months at HTW Berlin – for the timing, see the schedule below.

The Fellowship includes:

  • Support in fine-tuning the concept for subsequent development.
  • Insight and experience in agile XR development methods
  • Close collaboration with our interdisciplinary XR expert team from XR development, digital media production and cultural studies
  • Premises at the Research Center for Culture and Computer Science of HTW Berlin
  • State-of-the-art equipment (hardware/software)
  • XR Art & Networking 2025 as a public platform for presentation of the XR project after completion of the collaboration.

Requirements/Experience:

  • Basic knowledge in XR technologies
  • Openness for interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Commitment to continuous regular meetings during XR development from beginning of May 24 to end of January 25 (approx. 1x per week except Aug./Sept.) and independent work phases
  • Desirable: experience in interdisciplinary cultural projects

Application

Application documents should include the following files:

  • A letter of motivation of approx. 2,000 characters (incl. blanks).
  • The concept of approx. 6,000 characters (incl. spaces) with at least one visualization  (e.g. sketch, model)
  • Outline of required work packages and responsibilities of approx. 1,500 characters (incl. blanks)
  • Short CV(s) with text of max. 500 characters each
  • For each team member a portfolio of previous relevant work

Application is possible in German or English.

Further information about the application

  • Applications will only be accepted by email to xr-open-call@htw-berlin.de.
  • The deadline for applications is 31.03.2024, 6 pm.
  • The decision will be made at the beginning of April 2024 and the selected team will be notified by email.
  • Save-the-Date: The annual Open Call and the XR project selected in 2024 will be presented at the XR Art & Networking #5 at the end of June 2025 at HTW Berlin (campus Wilhelminenhof).

Schedule

May – July 24Common concept phase
Definition of required digital content
Determination of the schedule
Start with XR development
Aug – Sept 24Independent work
Collaborative agile development, user testing, optimization, and generalization
Oct 24 – Jan 25Collaborative agile development, user tests, optimization, and generalization
June 25Public presentation at XR Art & Networking 2025

Any questions?

Please feel free to write us at any time: aurora@htw-berlin.de 🙂

If there is a need, we are also happy to organise an info event via zoom – if interested, please just contact us via e-mail & we will send date suggestions!

Context of this OPEN CALL:

»HERA – Handlungs- und Lernräume für Extended Reality Angebote mit der freien Kulturszene« (Action and Learning Spaces for Extended Reality concepts with the independent cultural scene) will be funded 2023-2025 by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the program »Strengthening Innovation Potential in Culture III« (INP-III). Within the framework of HERA, the popular AURORA School will also be continued, but with an expanded focus on extended reality for artists with and without previous knowledge and thus as AURORA XR School for Artists.

In addition to free XR training and XR Art & Networking events, HERA has published annual Open Calls starting in 2023.