The virtual reality (VR) experience is an interpretation of the city of Zirma, which is described in Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. The novel guides readers through various locations and explores the ideas of memories and desires. The chapter where Zirma is depicted brings up skyscrapers, streets of shops, signs, trains, dirigibles, sailors, and tattoo artists. While these elements are included in the final VR project, we were primarily inspired by the statement, “The city is redundant: it repeats itself so that something will stick in the mind” (Calvino 19). The concept of repetition led us to create a VR experience where the viewer is in the middle of an intersection, surrounded by the same street view on each side. The dirigibles, train carts, and people are also reused to make the scene cohesive and to emphasize Zirma’s redundant nature. There are some descriptions that we ultimately changed or left out: only tattoo artists and sailors were drawn, there are no pumas, and the trains are above ground. However, the final project assets were purposefully chosen as we were also inspired to draw in a cyberpunk aesthetic. The buildings, transportation vehicles, and people are modern; the accompanying sound is reminiscent of a busy city. These futuristic elements allow for a unique perspective of Zirma city from Invisible Cities.
Invisible Cities: Zirma
A virtual reality (VR) world depicting the city of Zirma from "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino