A Word With
Antonia Forster Senior VR & AR Technical Specialist at Unity // Director of the LGBTQIA+ VR Museum Tell us a little about yourself My background is not in coding, but Zoology! I was a presenter at zoos, science centres, and eventually a 3D planetarium (at We The Curious, in Bristol). There, I learned to code and create astronomy shows. I adored the idea of building virtual worlds (or galaxies), so I used free materials online to teach myself C# and Unity, and began projecting VR content onto the 3D dome, and bringing the planetarium’s shows onto VR headsets! Shortly after this, I got a role as a full-time VR software developer. Now, my role combines my experience in public-speaking with coding and VR/AR technology. The museum is actually not part of my day-job, but a passion project I’m developing in my free time!
What made you put this project together? I grew up in a very homophobic, unsafe environment. Digital spaces were the only place I was able to be open about my identity, and connect with other queer people. I was finally able to come out as bisexual and polyamorous in 2017, in my late twenties. When I did, I received aggressive backlash from some members of my family - including threats, blackmail, and bribery (to remain Tell us about the LGBT+ VR Museum Project in the closet). I believe that reaction comes partly from ignorance and fear - from not The purpose of the museum is to showcase knowing any (openly) queer people, and the objects, stories and artwork of LGBTQ+ people. The museum is a virtual reality venue never hearing their stories. Exposure is a - in other words, you put on a VR headset (an powerful antidote to prejudice. One of the most impactful ways we can use technology Oculus Quest 2) and you find yourself in a big, airy gallery. The walls are decorated with is to create awareness, education and 2D illustrations and photographs by talented exposure by amplifying under-represented stories. I also find it interesting, in the context queer artists all over the world. Objects are of museums, to ask the question “Who visible on pedestals - these are 3D scans of curates the content? Who decides which real-life objects, or “artefacts of personal stories we preserve and platform, and which significance”, chosen by people in Bristol’s fade away?”. Many museums have origins LGBTQ+ community. You can reach out and rooted in cisheteropatriarchy and colonialism, grab the objects, or press a button; which historically refincorcing the perspectives of triggers narration by the person that chose the object, explaining its importance to them. the dominant cultural group. This is changing, but the ability to curate a physical museum Many of the stories had me in tears! The is still a rare, elite opportunity. Virtual Reality project is scoped for release in July, and can has the potential to democratize this - anyone be experienced on Oculus VR headsets (the Rift S, or Quest 2) - you will be able to find it can create and curate virtual exhibits. A virtual venue can be infinite - there is space on AppLab or SideQuest for all. 48
