The virtual reality space in the Armacost Library is one of the many additions and renovations made to the University over the summer. Formerly one of the classrooms on the ground floor, it has since been transformed into a place where students can engage with emerging technologies in a safe environment. And earlier this semester, a very special event took place in this space, hosted by the University of Redlands Public Square for Social and Environmental Justice.
“The Phoenix of Gaza” is a virtual reality exhibit created by Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb and Naim Aburaddi. The project originated at Cal State University San Bernadino’s XREAL Lab. XREAL, or extended reality, involves the usage of new technologies including VR, augmented reality and platforms like Unreal Engine to provide a unique way to experience the world.
This particular exhibit was first presented by then-CSUSB-student Naim Aburaddi. He and CSUSB Professor of Communication and Media Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb, worked to get cameras into the Gaza Strip during the Israeli blockade two years ago. At the time, the intention was to capture images and video of what life was like in Gaza despite war, such as culture and resilience. Neither Aburaddi nor Muhtaseb knew that the hundreds of pieces of visual footage they were gathering would be of places and people that just mere months later would no longer exist.
After the first photographer evacuated due to safety concerns from the rapidly escalating tensions in the Gaza strip, a second photographer was hired to capture more images.
“For months, we couldn’t touch the footage, it was so shocking,” Muhtaseb recalled in an interview with The Redlands Bulldog. “But then we had to snap–the world had to see this.”
The footage from both photographers was loaded and arranged via Unreal Engine, a platform most known for hosting large-scale video games. This allowed the creation of virtual recreations of buildings and locations in Gaza that viewers could explore through Oculus headsets. The exhibit was first premiered at CSUSB on Feb. 12 and 13 of this year, where University of Redlands professor Althea Sircar first saw it.
“I had originally invited her as part of a panel to speak about her movie,” Sircar said, referring to Muhtaseb’s film 1948 Creation and Catastrophe (2018). “At that time, she was talking about this show at CSUSB. So, I went over to see the exhibit, and I found it very moving and powerful, and I wanted to bring it to Redlands. So, I kept in touch with her, and we’ve been trying to figure out a time to bring it.”
The exhibit began with a luncheon and talk with the team behind the project on Sept. 19. The event ran from Sept. 19 to 21, involving two classrooms on the ground floor of the Armacost Library and several Oculus VR headsets. The exhibit ran from noon to five on all three days, with the team behind the project on site to talk to visitors about the exhibit. The counseling center was also available for any students who felt distressed or nauseous from the imagery or usage of the headsets at any point. One room was devoted to an immersive experience, which allowed viewers to “walk” through recreations of locations in Gaza, while the other allowed viewers to take a seat and watch images of various scenes unfold in front of their eyes.
“I want them to know how devastating this genocide was for Palestinians in Gaza, and to know the devastation that happened there,” said Muhtaseb, when asked about the reason she kept working on the project.
The exhibit has also been shown at the University of Colorado Boulder, where Aburaddi is currently a media instructor and Ph.D student. Similarly, it has been shown at the Together 4 Palestine fundraiser in Denver, Colorado, and at Salt Lake Community College.
Correction: Due to an editing error, the word Phoenix was misspelled and has since been corrected
Kae Yeoh is a junior majoring in music performance and is a senior reporter for the Redlands Bulldog. When not busy, Kae enjoys writing, making Spotify playlists, and watching documentaries.
