A bird’s eye view of the real-world devastation and destruction amassed during the ongoing war in Ukraine provided indelible images for visitors who took in an immersive virtual reality exhibit at Johns Hopkins University in March 2024.
As part of the War Up Close Project, the exhibit allowed attendees to use technology and see inside the bombed-out ruins of home, hospitals, schools, and other buildings in the war-torn country. The JHU MA in Film and Media program co-hosted the exhibit with the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund, and Balti Virtual.
The exhibit, which is traveling the world, features the work of Ukrainian photojournalist Mykola “Nick” Omelchenko. He was present to discuss how he captured powerful before-and-after images of the region using high-quality 360-degree video, panoramic images, and drone footage.
“Nick is the only Google-certified photojournalist to use 360-degree technology in Ukraine, as well as in Georgia and several other Eastern European countries,” said Jason Gray, a JHU lecturer, seasoned filmmaker, and the Video Multimedia Systems Specialist at JHU’s Peabody Institute. “The camera that he utilized for the project contains highly sophisticated sensors and captured really detailed images. He also provided narration throughout the experience which contributed to the visualization that participants were experiencing. Watching visitors insert themselves, with this technology, into the reality of war was very impactful and moving. Even though the subject matter was difficult, the exhibit was timely and left our visitors with a lasting memory.”
Gray emphasized the importance and advantage of introducing this type of emerging technology to his students.
“Exposure to this technology facilitates the mastery of immersive storytelling, allowing our students to tell stories that matter and giving their audiences the opportunity to not just watch but truly experience their films,” he said.
Learn more about the War Up Close Project and its visit to Johns Hopkins.