Su Wenchi’s Sensing Dark Matter is a VR experience merging art and physics, inviting viewers to explore a speculative universe where dark matter and its gravitational effects become perceptible.

Submerge yourself in Sensing Dark Matter, an atmospheric virtual reality experience that merges art and science.

Sensing Dark Matter transports viewers into a speculative reality where advanced technology enables us to perceive dark matter. Using VR headsets and spatial audio, participants navigate the universe, experiencing cosmic forces.

To create Sensing Dark Matter, the celebrated Taiwanese artist Su Wenchi and her team of collaborators embarked on a residency at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory – one kilometer underground in regional Victoria – and collaborated with leading scientists at the University of Melbourne.

Sensing Dark Matter re-imagines the science behind our universe and gives participants the opportunity to have a close encounter with one of the most mysterious forces in the cosmos: dark matter. This remarkable VR journey offers us a unique vision of our connection to the hidden fabric of the universe.

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Session time

Please arrive 10 minutes before your session.

Age
All attendees must be at least 10 years old. The age restriction is due to the size of the Meta Quest 3 headsets.

Accessibility
The event is fully wheelchair accessible. Companions are welcome to join the room without a ticket. Companions will need to book a separate ticket to get a VR headset.

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Presented by Asia TOPA, Arts Centre Melbourne and Science Gallery Melbourne. Commissioned by Taipei Performing Arts Centre, WestK, Asia TOPA, Arts Centre Melbourne and ARC Centre for Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics.

Asia TOPA is a joint initiative of Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sidney Myer Fund, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Playking Foundation and the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.