GILLES JOBIN / VRI

Costume and Set Design / Client: Gilles Jobin

I conceive the costumes and virtual scenography for VR_I, a pioneering production that redefined the boundaries of contemporary dance through immersive technology.

For the VR_I project by choreographer Gilles Jobin, I acted as both the costume and set designer, creating a bridge between fashion and immersive technology. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in contemporary dance because my designs were not physical garments or wooden structures, but digital assets entirely modeled for a virtual reality environment.
In this production, I designed the avatars for both the professional dancers and the spectators. My personal style, which often blends exuberance with popular culture, was translated here into textures, graphics, and forms specifically adapted for motion capture. This was a unique challenge because, while audiences are typically stationary in virtual performances, here they were encouraged to physically move and explore within a 10 by 25 meter space.
Regarding the virtual set design, I moved beyond the constraints of a traditional stage to imagine diverse 3D environments, ranging from urban landscapes and artist lofts to vast deserts. This digital freedom allowed me to radically play with scale, making the dancers appear as towering giants or tiny figures. This work was made possible through a close partnership with Artanim in Geneva, a platform specialized in motion capture that helped transform my artistic visions into interactive digital elements.
Our work, showcased at prestigious venues like the Maison de la Danse and the Théâtre de Liège, received international acclaim for its aesthetic and technological innovation. The project was honored with the Innovation Award at the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma in Montreal and earned official selections at both the Sundance Film Festival and the Venice Biennale.