Translating Speculative Foresight into Applied Creative Systems

Since 1979, Ars Electronica has stood as the world's largest and most prestigious media arts festival, pioneering digital transformation and its profound impact on society. Operating at the nexus of technological innovation and participatory prototyping, the transdisciplinary Culture Futures Lab was invited to present its legendary VR project, Echoes of the Bay, as part of the Campus Exhibition at the 2026 Ars Electronica Festival.

Co-funded by the Our Singapore Fund under the MCCY, Echoes of the Bay was designed in 2025 to commemorate Singapore's 60th year of Independence by reimagining archival practice and community engagement through immersive VR technology. The installation was proudly showcased at the Singapore Night Festival and Singapore Design Week and was featured at the 2025 Meaningful VR Conference at UC Davis, USA, and the 12th International Digital Storytelling Conference in São Paulo, Brazil. Hosted by the University of the Arts Linz at 2026 Ars Electronica, Echoes of the Bay will welcome international visitors to step into a serene digital bay, where they navigate between “story-boats, ” listen to intimate oral testimonies, and view 3D sketches. VR facilitators will engage participants to become creators of their own stories of migration or belonging, contributing into the VR installation in real-time.

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