Cathex: Poetics of the Virtual Self & Embodied Movement in VR
Dortmunder U, Talk
In English.
In this talk, artist and director Sine Özbilge provides a behind-the-scenes look at Cathex, an immersive VR experience that unfolds like a virtual poem. By combining psychology, philosophy, and artistic experimentation, Cathex invites players into a dreamlike world inspired by the subconscious, where physical movement becomes a tool for emotional exploration. Sine shares the creative and technical development process of this hybrid project – from initial concepts and worldbuilding to the integration of game mechanics, sound design, and embodied interaction in virtual space.
The work can be seen at Künstler*innenhaus Dortmund.
Sine Özbilge is a multidisciplinary visual artist, XR researcher, and game and film director based in Belgium. She teaches at the animation department of LUCA School of Arts while also directing films and interactive media at Lunanime and Cinnamon Entertainment. Her work explores themes such as cyberfeminism, the subconscious, technology, human behavior, post-net aesthetics, and digital artifacts. Known for her blend of animation, live-action, and technology, Sine creates captivating and innovative narratives that have been showcased at renowned venues such as the Berlinale, Ars Electronica, the Sharjah Art Foundation, SMAK, BOZAR, the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, and Denver Digerati. Her films have won awards at festivals from Ann Arbor to the prestigious BFI and have been broadcast by ARTE Court-Circuit. Sine frequently collaborates with her sister, Imge Özbilge, on various projects.