Residence XR Farnèse – Médicis : Fisheye effect
What if you were a fish?
Not forever, of course—just for a few minutes of your life. And what if all of this were possible thanks to augmented reality?
Fisheye is much more than just a documentary. With this work, Jonathan Pêpe offers us a sensory and introspective experience that highlights the blurred boundary between the animal as a subject and as a commodity. By immersing the viewer in a virtual aquatic world, the artist turns VR into a powerful tool for empathy. Using 3D imagery created with Blender and immersive GoPro footage, Fisheye confronts us with our impact on marine life and the inner workings of the fishing industry.
Developed as part of the XR Farnese – Médicis Residency, in partnership with the Palais Farnèse, the Villa Médicis, and the CNC, this project took shape in Italy—a country where the sea and fishing are at the heart of culture and cuisine. Far from being just a portrait of a marine ecosystem, this work questions our food systems and the place we assign to living beings in our economy.
A hypnotic and thought-provoking look at our relationship with nature. Between fiction and reality, Fisheye makes us see, feel, and understand animal life in a new way. Don’t miss the chance to experience this immersive work at the NewImages Festival, where Jonathan Pêpe will be present to engage with the audience.
RDV from April 9 to 13 2025 on the Forum des images in Paris.