[Re]moving Bodies - A Shared Diminished Reality Installation for Exploring Relational Movement.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Science
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• The sense of self and other emerges from embodied movement and interaction.
• Exploring intersubjective dynamics in virtual environments requires novel approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce dis/embodiment as an epistemic approach using minimalist VR.
• To investigate intersubjective dynamics of relational movement and bodying in multi-person VR.
• To explore scientific, artistic, and therapeutic applications of this VR paradigm.

Main Methods:

• Developed "Articulations," an interdisciplinary project integrating VR, cognitive science, and dance.
• Introduced "Shared Diminished Reality" using minimalist representations (three spheres) for user bodies in VR.
• Collected data from a situated experiment at a science-art event, analyzing motion patterns and subjective reports.

Main Results:

• Dis/embodiment provides a clear experience of responsive movement in relation to others.
• Minimalist VR representations simplify movement tracking and analysis.
• Observed distinct motion patterns based on the visibility of virtual body representations.

Conclusions:

• Dis/embodiment in VR offers a novel framework for studying embodied cognition and intersubjectivity.
• The "Articulations" project demonstrates potential for scientific, artistic, and therapeutic insights.
• Further research can leverage this installation to explore complex bodying and relational movement.