Juana la Loca (Joanna The Mad)

Juana la Loca VR is an immersive experience created by Ana Arzoumanian and TOXI Media that transports the user to a medieval setting while narrating a poem inspired by the life of Juana la Loca, Queen of Castile. Through virtual reality headsets, the viewer traverses historical settings that evoke the political and personal tension of the protagonist, combining visual and auditory art. With a duration of 3-4 minutes, this experience offers a new way to connect with literature through technology, merging past and present in a unique sensory journey. 

To view the video click here or on the image below.

At the first showing of Juana la Loca VR, in addition to the immersive experience, an academic talk was held on the intersection between virtual reality and literature, exploring how these technologies are transforming the act of reading. The day also included a reading in French by Vivian Lofiego, who brought the poem's translation to life, offering a bilingual perspective that further enriched the cultural experience of the event. 

On September 26, 2024, Ana Arzoumanian gave a talk at TOXI University where she delved into the intersection between virtual reality and literature. During her presentation, she discussed how immersive technology allows for a unique experience of poetry, connecting the reader with the narrative through sensory perception. The talk also explored the challenges and opportunities that virtual reality presents for the future of literary creation, emphasizing how these tools allow for the fusion of art, history, and technology.

For more information about this event, visit toxi.media/literature-and-virtual-reality

The project is part of the subtheme Technopoetics - AI, Digital Media and the Future of Creativity.