Open Call #1 (2020)

Extended Reality (XR) – Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality – is a field of experimentation for cultural practitioners where technology can only be convincing when combined with strong concepts. Especially in the field of Mixed Reality, new possibilities for interaction, the active involvement of the audience and the fusion of the analogue with the virtual world arise, which can serve as a toolbox for new ideas.

Our call is aimed at interdisciplinary teams from Berlin’s cultural scene and creative industries that draw artistic potential from XR for interactive multi-user experiences. Thematically, there is complete freedom. XR_Unites offers advice and support for agile development, the necessary software and a contingent of XR hardware for testing and presentation purposes (including AR and VR glasses). The XR_Unites expert board provides feedback on the implementation. At the end of the joint development, there will be a presentation at the Tieranatomisches Theater in Berlin-Mitte.

Provisional timetable
Jan.-Feb. Joint concept phase
Definition of required digital content
Fixing the timetable
Mar.-Sep.Collaborative agile development
Consultation of the expert board
Digital content production
Oct.Joint presentation at the Tieranatomisches Theater
as part of an XR exhibition by the AURORA School for ARtists, XR_Unites, APOLLO and other cooperation partners Documentation.
The Jury

Franziska Ritter and Pablo Dornhege

Director Im/material Theatre Spaces; project management and representative for digitality and new technologies at the Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft e.V.

Oliver Proske

Managing director of Nico and the Navigators, board member of the Association of Scenographers and founder of the AG Digitaler Raum (Digital Space Working Group)

Dagmar Schürrer

Media artist, expert in XR art and digital media production

Peggy Schoenegge

XR curator, curator and project manager of the platform peer to space and board member of Medienkunst e.V.

All jury members are part of the expert board!

Team wanted!

We are looking for an interdisciplinary team of at least three people living in Berlin. The result is an interactive XR multi-user experience with performative components. Please note that conceptual innovation and feasibility are required. If applying, the mandatory start date of the collaboration is 15.01.2021. Application documents can be submitted in German or English and should include the following files: 

  • A joint letter of motivation of max. 3000 characters. 
  • The concept of max. 10,000 characters with at least one visualization (e.g. sketch, model) or a short explanatory video (max. 10 min). 
  • Outline of required work packages and responsibilities (who does what in the team?) of max. 3000 characters (incl. blanks).
  • For each team member a short CV with picture as text of max. 500 characters each.
  • A portfolio of previous relevant work per team member 

Applications will only be accepted by e-mail to xru@htw-berlin.de. The deadline for applications is 20.12.2020 at midnight. The decision will be made in early January 2021. Notification of the selected team will be sent by email. In addition to personnel and technical support, unfortunately no payment for the team is possible.