Virtual Aquapolis: An Interactive VR Documentary About New York Harbor

FAIN: MD-277030-21

SUNY Research Foundation, College at Old Westbury (Old Westbury, NY 11568-1717)
Samara Amanda Smith (Project Director: June 2020 to March 2024)

The discovery phase of an interactive VR project about the history of New York Harbor and the interrelationship between the harbor’s ecosystem and the city above.

Virtual Aquapolis, an interactive VR humanities project about the past, present and future of New York Harbor. Incorporating a combination of elements--archival photography, film and audio, animation, underwater video, expert interviews and narration-- this project will explore how human culture, values and practices have altered the harbor’s underwater ecosystems over time, and how the natural world has shaped the city above. Drawing on work from leading humanities scholars, Virtual Aquapolis examines how human culture informs the harbor’s past and present, and shapes collective visions for the harbor’s future. Virtual Aquapolis will be designed to engage the public in a variety of ways: through gallery and museum installations; as a teaching resource; and through a series of free public events on NYC’s Governors Island waterfront. An accompanying Virtual Aquapolis website will offer a free mobile phone and VR helmet-compatible download of the documentary.