The mountain : a journey from self to summit

As a reflective theatrical practitioner, I must engage with my design process and perpetually investigate the methods I employ in my craft as a multi-disciplinary designer. Concurrently, recent trends in technology have challenged traditional models of theater and numerous artists are inventing new methods of storytelling. Just as the smart phone has put the user in the center of their digital sphere, installation art is putting the participant in control of their story and their experience. This thesis was developed to investigate my creative process and how I might integrate my own personal experiences in alpine mountaineering into an installation that sought to empower participants. Further, the installation explored interactive design techniques and technologies including positional motion tracking. This thesis documents the development and implementation of an immersive art installation, The Mountain, which incorporated concepts of video games and theater within a mythological narrative framework directly informed by Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. This mixed methods study analyzes the experiences of a collaborative design team and audience participants as a way to assess the impact of the project. Findings include a deepened understanding of my process and aspirations as a generative artist alongside an increased experience with integrated technical systems. This document concludes with a conceptual outline for future installation work.Theatre and Danc