While I found many aspects of the contemporary display at LACMA confusing, some, like this display, hit home. As I turned the corner into this new room, I was surprised to see that it was empty other than for what looked like newspaper clippings. Upon closer inspection, I realized I was standing in a bedroom.

Having used VR on several previous occasions, it was easy to visualize where I was. This bland display suddenly wasn’t so empty anymore. Based on suggestions from the artist, I was able to add my own creativity to bring the room to life: the carpet on the floor, the bookshelves to the right, the table to my left, lights ahead, a window, a chair, a desk. I could imagine the exact style, shape, color, and angle of each item as I would imagine a room of my own.

I walked around to all the tags to get a good sense of the space in the room. I imagined what it would be like to live in a room like this. Would it be possible? Practical? Yes, and maybe no. Check out my short story this weekend to find out more about this.

All in all, when I walked away from this room I was left to think of how we may see space and the need for things differently in the future. The amount of time we spend in VAR* environments will change this.

Until I walked out of this display, I didn’t really consider a future that wouldn’t be littered with stuff: possessions, collections, decorations and everything else that takes space. What if in the future these items all exist in VAR? Just as in a virtual reality game, virtual items could be purchased and placed in the virtual area that makes up our personal space. Other than a place to sleep, perhaps a side table for setting a glass of water or a few smaller personal items like sunglasses, a chair- how many items will need to be physically present in a VAR future?

I can think of so many other impacts this type of future could have. It would change the entire way of shopping, city spaces would change to accommodate new patterns of consumerism, pollution and waste levels would decrease and the amount of resources needed from the environment to fuel the production of goods would drop dramatically. Even the way we interact, and the layout of public meeting spaces would change. It would be a very different world. Can you picture this? Will VAR be accepted by vendors? Remember, the sellers play a big role as to what sinks and what swims, and by embracing VARdesign, rooms will no longer need to have as much physical stuff.

And how about you? Do you see yourself in this possible future?

*VAR- Virtual or augmented reality