Blending War And Virtual Reality: Harun Farocki’s “Immersion”

By on May 6, 2012 in News 3

tumblr_m3b6l07pHf1qjjis9o1_500Metropolis Magazine on artist Harun Farocki’s Immersion: a video exploration of the connection between virtual reality and the military:

Eighteen years after the first Gulf War, computer-generated game technology is not only employed on the battlefield, but also used for recruiting, training prior to combat zone deployment, and now psychological care for for troops suffering battlefield trauma upon their return. It is the beginning, the middle and the end of the violence of war.

Filming for Immersion took place at Fort Louis, near Seattle, during a demonstration for therapists of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, which consists of subjecting traumatized soldiers to the conditions of war once again, in a virtual reality.

Read More: Metropolis Magazine

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  • Anarchy Pony

    What do disinfo’s resident veterans have to say on this matter?

    • Guest

      Iraq War Veteran: I was recently told by a therapist that I cannot find closure and peace of mind in a place and situation I may never visit again. This type of VR therapy might be a good idea.

  • http://hormeticminds.blogspot.com/ Chaorder Gradient

    Just had a random thought: therapeutic video games. Where the protagonist has some traumatic history(like i don’t know, too many tours in Iraq) and comes back and deals with some fantastical adventure at home, simultaneously dealing with the  sorts of emotional problems that a victim of PTSD would undergo. Only question would be, how to make it fun, or engaging, or otherwise immersive. I guess that’s the responsibility of people who are actually creative.