Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is an interactive computer-generated experience taking place within a simulated environment. It incorporates auditory and visual feedback. This immersive environment can be similar to the real world or it can be fantastical.

Augmented reality (AR) is a similar experience, where simulated objects and environments are interwoven in the tangible world. AR headsets can project high-resolution images onto transparent displays, creating holograms that you can interact with.

While VR gaming is making its way into the mainstream with accessible standalone devices, AR technology is beginning to blossom and is on the horizon for consumer friendly products with new designs and technology that will change how we interact with computers. AR and VR are already being used in the corporate workforce to revolutionize productivity, and changing how we learn with VR labs such as in the biomedical field. The artistic capability of this technology hasn’t been fully realized, and it is the primary goal of Portraits of Change to use this technology and other new and exciting innovations to transform how musicians create music and how audiences listen to it.

Mixed Reality has the potential to disrupt many facets of the music industry. From digital sheet music to music notation, instrument learning to conducting, there are many ways that music can be transformed by MR. Portraits of Change focuses on the live music performance aspect of music, and looks at how Augmented Reality can revolutionize how we visually interpret live music.

AR and VR technology are developing at a fast rate, with new devices and experiences constantly on the horizon. When the project started in 2019, standalone VR and AR were just a dream but now in 2021 we have many new platforms such as Microsoft's HoloLens 2, Magic Leap, Nreal, Varjo, Lynx, Facebook’s Quest and many more. We are keeping our eyes open to this ever changing landscape and will wait for the right time to implement these new technologies in the core Portraits of Change experience.

It isn't an easy feat to undertake, but the artists behind Portraits of Change are confident that with the right tools and right people, we can create a tangible, functional, and most importantly creative product.