Embodying the Image - Spect-Actorship and Virtual Reality

"Embodying the Image: Spect-actorship and Virtual Reality" addresses spectator behavior and emotional engagement across various forms of virtual reality (VR) experiences, including seated, standing, and room scaled setups. Using a comparative methodology, the study addresses the spectatorial shift triggered by VR's resurgence in various cultural contexts, exploring both out-of-home and in-home experiences across artistic, educational, and entertainment objectives.

Central to the investigation is the concept of the spect-actor, drawn from theorist and theatre practioner Augusto Boal, representing individuals who transition from passive spectators to active participants within narratives. Through comparative analysis, the present dissertation showcases VR's evolving affective characteristics and user engagement levels in three different kinds of VR experiences. By focusing on immersion in diverse reality environments, the dissertation aims to address a gap in VR research concerning the artistic, educational, and entertainment aspects of VR spectatorship. Immersion, defined as the extent of a system's ability to create a lifelike illusion of reality, is explored both technologically and psychologically. The dissertation underscores the importance of decision-making interfaces in the amplification of a spect-actor's sense of immersion.

The dissertation argues that less mediated Artistic VR experiences provide greater user agency and spect-actorship, allowing enhanced control and influence over actions and experiences. It situates how Educational VR operates within structured frameworks, investigating the intersection of educational objectives, pre-defined learning outcomes, user agency, spect-actorship and embodiment. Finally, turning to Entertainment VR, the dissertation focuses on its synthesis of cinematic storytelling, user agency, authenticity, and spect-actorship to understand diverse approaches in delivering emotionally impactful narratives.

This dissertation is the culmination of extensive research and dozens of interviews with VR developers exploring the dynamics of agency and embodiment across three different VR genres developed based on the works that have been selected for this research. Through in-depth comparative analysis of diverse VR works, several key findings have emerged, shedding light on the nuanced interplay between user agency, narrative structure, and spect-actor engagement. The study emphasizes the importance of user agency in fostering immersion and spect-actor engagement within VR experiences. Whether in more open-ended environments or structured educational settings, balancing user freedom with predefined objectives proves essential for maintaining engagement and enhancing the sense of embodiment. In navigating the diverse landscape of VR storytelling, developers must carefully orchestrate the interplay between narrative coherence, user agency, and emotional resonance to create impactful experiences that transcend traditional spectatorship. This dissertation sheds light on the pivotal role of embodiment in eliciting deep emotional responses from users across a range of contexts and genres.