[In an apparent first, an auction house is using VR to provide an immersive experience with virtual versions of art works before a sale. This interview from Sotheby’s, where it includes a 3:16 minute demonstration video and more images, never mentions presence explicitly but the phenomenon is obviously central to the discussion (note that the “watch video here” links may require sign in). –Matthew] [Image: A visitor to the exhibition tries out the virtual reality headset (photo: Ian Gavan)] Reimagining Surrealism Through Virtual Reality By Sotheby’s | 22 Feb 2017 Visitors to the Surrealist Art Evening sale exhibition at New Bond…

[NASA’s release yesterday of a 360 degree VR panorama so that we can all experience what it would be like to be on a newly discovered planet demonstrates the recognition of the value of presence. The story below is from Wired UK, where it includes the 1:23 minute interactive video and two different images. More media recreations related to the discovery are available from NASA. –Matthew] Explore Nasa’s TRAPPIST-1d exoplanet discovery in glorious 360-degree VR The 360-degree Nasa VR panorama animates the surface of a newly detected planet, TRAPPIST-1d By Victoria Woollaston Thursday 23 February 2017 Last night, Nasa revealed…

[Here’s a first-person report on an interesting approach to increasing presence with VR; the story is from MIT Technology Review, where it includes an additional image. –Matthew] Using Virtual Reality Underwater Is Weird (but Fun) Sure, you can soar or swim in VR. Just put on a headset and jump in a pool. by Rachel Metz February 20, 2017 No matter how well virtual reality mimics the sights and sounds of flying, floating, or swimming, it’s impossible to feel that you’re really doing those things when your feet are planted firmly on solid ground. So Stephen Greenwood and Allan Evans…

[Jessica Billhart has some very interesting insights on VR and presence; this interview with her is from MIT Technology Review, where it includes several more images. –Matthew] Imagining the Future of VR at Google The search giant’s filmmaker on what the new medium does that film cannot. by Jason Pontin February 14, 2017 Jessica Brillhart is the principal filmmaker for virtual reality at Google, where she enjoys one of the most creative jobs in Silicon Valley. She makes VR experiences (including World Tour, the first film made with Google’s Jump system, a circular 16-camera rig designed to capture VR films)…

[Here’s a short story about a new effort to add senses to presence experiences; it’s from New Scientist, where it includes a 0:41 second video; another video (“[CHI 2017] Ambiotherm: Enhancing Presence in VR by Simulating Real-World Environmental Conditions”) is available on YouTube. –Matthew] Virtual reality weather add-ons let you feel the sun and wind 13 February 2017 By Timothy Revell Virtual reality devices can already fool your eyes and ears. Soon your other senses will be fooled too, with the creation of a device that can bring the weather in your virtual world to life. Nimesha Ranasinghe at the…

[IMAX has begun to implement its plans to speed the mainstreaming of VR; the two articles below detail the company’s plans and report on the new IMAX VR Experience Center in Los Angeles. –Matthew] [From the Los Angeles Times] [Image: A guest plays a virtual reality game based on Lionsgate’s “John Wick” at the Imax VR Experience Centre in Los Angeles (Imax Corp.)] Virtual reality industry ‘in need of a jump-start,’ Imax CEO says at new VR center Ryan Faughnder February 15, 2017 Richard Gelfond, chief executive of big-screen company Imax Corp., unveiled his new virtual reality center Tuesday with…