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NICOLE HIPP
New Media Artist


RECUERDOS VELADOS











2022 - ongoing            Multimedia Installation with a VR Experience


01Statement
02Exhibition Overview
03Virtual Reality Experience
04Execution & Media
05Harm Reduction & Consent

Statement

*FLINTA: acronym in German meaning Women, Lesbian, Intersex, Non Binary, Trans, Trans and AgenderMemories are often cherished, but some remain hidden—buried by guilt, shame, and societal silence. For many in the FLINTA* community, these memories often involve experiences of sexual abuse, left unspoken as a means of coping.  

What changes when these stories are told?

Can releasing the weight of these hidden experiences bring solace and strength?

By sharing and confronting these veiled memories, the FLINTA* community explores the possibility of reclaiming power and rewriting their relationship with the past.  




Exhibition Overview

This exhibition explores narratives of resilience and survival through an immersive blend of virtual reality and physical installation.  


The central piece is a virtual reality experience addressing the realities of sexual abuse, inspired by anonymous accounts from the artist's social circle. Visitors can engage with this intimate portrayal of survivors’ experiences, choosing whether to step into this virtual journey.  


Surrounding the VR installation are veils inscribed with statements from FLINTA individuals living in the host city. These veils, influenced by feminist graffiti from Mexico, frame the space with messages of endurance and resistance.  


Fabrics displaying survivor quotes further enrich the environment, inviting viewers to reflect on fragmented memories and shared struggles before encountering the VR piece. The exhibition is both a personal and collective exploration of survival and solidarity.  


Sketch of the veiles in the exhibition space
Test exhibition at Soho House Berlin

Virtual Reality Experience

 
Participants embody the perspective of a woman confronting past trauma during a vivid party scene, where memories of abuse resurface.  


Through three pivotal but unpredictable memories, the digital narrative reveals moments of pain and resilience. The experience is dynamic, with the sequence and number of memories varying for each participant, emphasizing the individuality of each journey.  


This interactive artwork invites participants to reflect on the shared yet uniquely personal struggles of women, offering a deeper understanding of vulnerability and strength.  


Sketch of the Virtual Reality Space
Render of the epilogue
Render of the Introduction Scene
Render of the Experience 
Render of the Experience 

Execution & Media



Programs used

Ableton Live | Adobe After Effects | Alice Vision | Houdini SFX | Adobe Substance Painter | Tidal Cycles | Unreal Engine 5

 
The experience was created using photogrammetry, transforming physical models and objects into detailed 3D meshes through photographic reconstruction.  


Motion capture (MOCAP) technology brought lifelike movement to the virtual characters, capturing an actor’s gestures and actions for seamless animation integration.  





To ground the narrative in real-world context, graffiti and feminist posters from Mexico City (2020–2022) were incorporated. These elements were paired with stylized excerpts from real-life testimonies collected during research, blending authentic voices with the visual language of resistance.  




Harm Reduction & Consent

The VR experience prioritizes user safety and consent, ensuring an environment of care and respect for its sensitive subject matter.  
  • Ongoing Consent: Users can pause or exit the experience at any time if they feel uncomfortable.  
  • Expert Guidance: A trained expert is present to provide trigger warnings, guide users, and assist with setup.  
  • Private Setting: The VR experience is designed for one user at a time to ensure privacy and foster reflection.  
  • No External Display: The content is not broadcast elsewhere, preserving the user’s personal engagement.  
  • Age Restriction: Participation is limited to individuals aged 18 and above.  
  • Sensitive Topics: Survivors of sexual abuse or those sensitive to the subject are advised to carefully consider their participation to prioritize their emotional well-being.