ABOUT THE PROJECT:

The Eclipse Boulevard is Rockstars’ interpretation of the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and situated in Vinewood West of Los Santos and is known for its landmark architecture, venues and billboard landscape; in the game Grand Theft Auto V, as well as in real life.

I started playing GTA V in succession to shooting my 360 degree videos of the Sunset Strip in 2016. To 'revisit Los Angeles' in a different manner and look for parallels beween the gaming environment my videos. Both representations of the place are based on realtime interaction and decision pahts within self-contained environments and imagery. Apart from comparing their experiental values, I examined how Rockstar interpreted the Sunset Strip with all its billboards..., and which of the Strips’ characteristic spots and buildings made it into their compressed version of Los Santos.

Following the concept of REVISTED, that uses Ed Ruschas famouse fanfold book 'Every Building on the Sunset Strip' as a point of reference, I walked up and down Vinwood Boulevard with my Avatar during different online sessions and times of 'day' and recorded myself doing so. The results show either North- or South Side of the boulevard out of first-person perspective while walking East or West. Every building and everthing else all at once on Eclipse Boulevard.

To highlight some of these landmarks who’s 2016 real life pendants can also be discovered in the 360 VR environments of REVISITED, I screencaptured myself walking across Eclipse Boulevard and taking pictures with GTA Vs in-built snapmatic camera. Just like I would do in real life. In the game the buildings, shops and venues carry different names. The infamous ’Whisky A GoGo’ for example goes under the name ‘Tequi-La-La‘, and so on. I also shot some of the billboards to show how Rockstar beautifully interpreted those. Apart from this video that shows the process, a slideshow with some of the snapmatic pictures can be viewed online. A map with the pictures location data,... as well.

Landmarks North walking East: Fool Moon Film, Tequi-la-la, Digital Den, Split Sides West Comedy, Last Train in Los Santos, Spitroasters Meathouse, Gentry Manor Hotel, ...
Landmarks South walking West: Eclipse Lounge, Hardcore Comic Store, Ellen's Liquor, Pegasus Concierge Hotel, Hornbills, Generic Hotel, Lust Resort, Liquor Hole, ...

Playing GTA and embarking on a jounrey that scrutinizes its surrounding based on the concepts of REVISITED, has been the closest to continuing my work on site. Especially during the pandemic. The in-game performances I conducted over the past years, during which I interacted with Los Santos locals (NPCs) and other online players resulted in the creaton of this and other artworks.

'The realization of ones' own identity is needed for space integration. Architecture as a cultural phenomenon carries many strong references. These references help to create cultural identity. Architecture is a determinant of man‘s orientation and identification in any one place. Together with urban planning and the landscape context, these form the factors influencing the creation of an environment and therefore are important for its quality.' (Martina Novakova & Erika Foltinova - The ordinary - everyday - commonplace as a reference of cultural identity, p.115)

More information about REVISITED: DOWNLOAD HERE