VR Experience: Revisiting 19th-Century Paris

A Resurgence of Immersive VR Experiences

Previous attempts to integrate virtual reality content with physical locations left a positive impression. However, it was believed that the pandemic had effectively halted the development of such ventures. The assumption was that accessing VR in 2024 would necessitate a headset purchase, resulting in a predominantly isolated experience within the confines of one’s home or workplace – not a shared activity enjoyed with others in a public venue.

This perception was recently challenged by a novel immersive installation.

“Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874”

Developed by French technology firm Excurio in partnership with the Musée d’Orsay and Gedeon Experiences, “Tonight with the Impressionists, Paris 1874” marks the 150th anniversary of the inaugural Impressionist art exhibition. The experience transports visitors back to 19th-century Paris, initially to the city’s streets, then to the exhibition itself, and finally to other significant locations pivotal to Impressionist history.

Following successful launches in France and Atlanta, “Tonight with the Impressionists” debuted on Friday at the Eclipso Center in New York City. Eclipso provides the physical space for virtual reality installations, while Excurio is responsible for the creation of the VR content itself. Like other projects from Excurio, this one aims to enhance accessibility to history and culture through VR technology, simultaneously showcasing the company’s technical capabilities.

Entering the Virtual World

During a press preview earlier in the week, my companion and I joined a considerable queue of individuals preparing to don VR headsets. We then entered a spacious, unmarked white room – encompassing 11,000 square feet – which would be digitally transformed into diverse environments, including apartments, art galleries, and lakeside retreats.

Unlike The Void, a previous benchmark for this type of immersive experience, Excurio does not construct physical sets or incorporate props mirroring the virtual environment. This approach allows venues like the Eclipso Center to host multiple experiences concurrently. However, it can also create moments of disconnect – such as when the virtual terrain inclined upwards while the actual floor remained level, or when a virtual Parisian sofa was obstructed by a floating red marker, indicating a potential fall.

A Journey Through Time

Despite these minor inconsistencies, the sensation of being present in Paris, observing renowned paintings, and interacting with their creators was remarkably convincing. A particularly striking moment involved sharing a balcony with Claude Monet as he completed “Impression, Sunrise,” with the artwork extending beyond the canvas to encompass the entire horizon.

Excurio emphasizes that its experiences do not require cumbersome VR backpacks, utilizing only headsets. Furthermore, the system supports a large number of simultaneous participants – the company recently achieved a record of over 100 concurrent, free-roaming users within the same space. This is managed through a structured narrative that guides participants, with staggered start times minimizing the risk of collisions.

Practical Considerations

In our experience, the density of the crowd meant we frequently observed the white outlines representing the presence of other individuals. While no collisions occurred, it did introduce a degree of navigational challenge. Ultimately, the 45-minute duration of “Tonight with the Impressionists” proved somewhat lengthy for those relatively new to VR, potentially leading to eye strain and discomfort from the equipment.

Nevertheless, this experience was truly unique. It is highly recommended for enthusiasts of Impressionist art and those curious about the innovative and educational potential of virtual reality.