Cape Town, SA: Meta has partnered with Electric South, the ground-breaking non-profit media company that works with digital creators to push the boundaries of storytelling in the digital age, to exhibit the virtual reality (VR) film 444.2 which has been selected for the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW)conference and festivals in Austin, Texas, USA.
The film, a Mauritian/South African Virtual Reality work by Nirma Madhoo, a Durban/Melbourne-based fashion filmmaker and researcher, has been selected for the SXSW Extended reality (XR) Spotlight.
“We are truly excited about the opportunity that this will give the filmmaker,” enthuses Ingrid Kopp Co-director of Electric South. “SXSW is a massive multi-disciplinary event that highlights the intersection of technology, film, music, education, and culture, that draws in excess of 300,000 attendees each year making it a perfect platform to launch this experience.”
444.2 is described as “a volumetric, 9-minute virtual reality experience” using state-of-the-art Quest stand-alone VR headset. Funded by Meta as part of the Future Africa: Telling Stories and Building Worlds initiative, in partnership with Africa No Filter an organisation that supports the development of nuanced and contemporary stories that shift stereotypical and harmful narratives within and about Africa. The project was managed by Nigeria-based Extended Reality (XR) creation lab Imisi 3D and Electric South, who is also distributing the work.
The first star cluster ever mapped by Southern Africa’s original stargazers sits 444.2 light years away from Earth. This project dives into ancient astronomical traditions combined with contemporary fashion, set against the backdrop of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the vast landscapes of the Karoo. In this mysterious terrain, fashion performances come to life amidst a captivating Afro-diasporic soundtrack.
“I have always been fascinated by starlore and cosmologies, ” says Nirma Madhoo, “444.2 is a stereotype-defying virtual reality project that presents African cultures as cultures of technology, paying homage to the original stargazers of Southern Africa.”
Kopp says, “We are committed to supporting African artists in making immersive work that appeals to local and global audiences. Making 444.2 was a collaborative effort and we were delighted to work with committed partners like Africa No Filter and Imisi 3D who understand the importance of new narratives out of Africa. We are thrilled that the audience at SXSW will experience the multifaceted talents of Nirma Madhoo and we are grateful to Meta for all their support in getting this project made and seen.”
Tshireletso Tshwenyane and Jason Stapleton from Electric South will be attending SXSW which begins on Friday 8 March.. Stapleton was also involved in the making of 444.2.
