Geneva 1850

Summary

Geneva 1850 is a multi-user immersive VR experience that transports visitors to Geneva in October 1846, just days before the uprising that marks a turning point in the city’s political history.

In groups of four, participants embody period characters and freely explore the reconstructed city. The experience combines visual, spatial, auditory, olfactory and haptic elements: visitors walk physically through the virtual environment, interact with real objects and engage with fellow participants and virtual characters.

The historical environment is based on 3D data obtained from the digitization of the Relief Magnin exhibited at Maison Tavel, bringing the streets and architecture of 19th-century Geneva back to life.

Geneva 1850 was presented at Maison Tavel from April 12 to July 14, 2019, and at the Museum of Art and History of Geneva from August 1 to September 29, 2019. It was later presented at the Dreamscape center in Geneva from July, 1, 2022, to December 1, 2023.

Learn more about the immersive technology behind the experience.

Credits

Production, project direction, VR platform, 3D content creation, gameplay and R&D
Artanim

Coordination – City of Geneva and Museum of Art and History
Félicien Mazzola, David Matthey, Bertrand Mazeirat

Script
Marianne Brun

Performance direction
Dorian Rossel

Actors
Marco Calamandrei, Fabien Coquil, Xavier Fernandez Cavada, Delphine Lanza, José Lillo, Edmond Vuilloux

Concept art and illustrations
Laurence Suhner

Sound environment
ActMedia

Set design and haptic devices
Marc Wettstein

Scent creation
Firmenich SA

User equipment design
Actis-Datta Créations Sàrl

English dubbing
Dale Chappell, Melisa Epp, Andrew Fogarasi, Kenneth Kriheli, Stephen Fu, Vince Melamed, David Richter, Steven Varnum

Voice-over
Sabina Foeth

Scientific committee
Bénédicte De Donker, Estelle Fallet, Alexandre Fiette, Sylvain Wenger

Supported by
City of Geneva, Ernst Göhner Foundation