Istituto Svizzero is pleased to announce Simon Senn’s performance Be Arielle F., presented by the Swiss artist at the 15th edition of Short Theatre 2020.

Simon Senn aquired online a digital copy of a feminine body and he virtually searched the woman whose body he would have inhabited through virtual reality. He will stand on stage to describe his disquieting experience.

«WHAT CAN THIS BODY DO? I bought a digital copy of a feminine body for 12 dollars on the website www.3dscanstore.com. The file content consisted in one three-dimensional static and realistic representation of a young woman’s naked body. I used an online free software to give her digital bones, so that she was able to walk and move. Helped by numerous internet users from all over the world I developed an immersive motion capture system. I bought the equipment for virtual reality, sensors included, addressed to video games. I positioned the sensors on my body, wore the little helmet and I “became” the young woman.
After this disturbing experience, I looked for the woman on social media, using the hashtag #3dscanstore. I foung a selfie that she posted at the time of the scan. I contacted her and proposed her a meeting, she accepted. I went to her house in England and I recorded our encounter. We agreed to use the name Arielle for her».

For more information.

Location: La Pelanda – Studio 2, Piazza Orazio Giustiniani, 4, Roma
Duration: 1h
Language: French and English with subtitles in Italian