Placelessness

Placelessness is a very interesting installation that is currently set up at University Galleries in Normal, Illinois.  This installation is far from normal, but at the same time resonates with the viewer to recall past experiences of home, friends, and family.  The artist behind this installation is Sarah Rothberg.  She has created two environments.  One of the physical that can be seen from just walking in the room, and one of psychological.  The nook in University Galleries houses a vibrant red shag carpet, a chair, virtual reality headset, headphones, and computer.  The room screams an environment that Austin Powers might inhabit, or maybe a scene from Pink Floyd's: The Wall.  

Sarah Rothberg, Memory/Place: My House, 2014-2015. Virtual reality enviroment, Oculus Rift headset, swivel chair, CRT television monitor, carpet. Courtesy of the artist. Taken from University Galleries web page.  

While the room disorients it still offers a sense of comfort, primarily with the chair. It has the feel of something that my Grandfather used to reside in during our visits.  Broken in, but not broken.  The computer is also nostalgic, but maybe thats because of my age and how we used to have them in our computer labs in elementary school.  Upon entering the virtual reality aspect of this installation you are confronted with lucidity as well as disorientation.  The environment is something new in itself, but there is a familiarity to the imagery provided.  Especially while inside of the house.  It has a feel of family and friends that can be related to.  Also the fact that you navigate where you go inside of the headset is intriguing too because you are exploring this place in a standstill.  It consumes you and I feel that is what adds to the disorient.  While i was "under" you could look all over the landscape and it went on for what seemed forever while in reality I was in this confined space. It was compelling to explore my perceptions while going in and out of what was made to be our reality.