‘The Broom’ by ODL Fellow Nim Shapira is a 6 DoF VR immersive experience based on Leonid Pekarovsky’s life and his autobiographical short story. Pekarovsky worked as an art historian & exhibition curator for the Ukraine Ministry of Culture. Following the dissolution of the USSR, he immigrated to Israel at the age 44, and the only job he could get was sweeping the litter off the streets of the Holy City, Jerusalem. ‘The Broom’ allows participants to enter Leonid’s shoes and travel through time and space, only to sweep the floors next to prominent artworks. As they sweep, participants will explore the presence of brooms in art – from cave drawings to Rembrandt, from Egyptian tombs to Van Gogh.
By grabbing a hold of a physical broom (enhanced by haptic sensors) and sweeping in the virtual world – the experience will begin. With every sweep, participants will get closer to manifesting the art exhibition Leonid had curated in his mind. Once the floor is clean, the artwork will fully “materialize”. Along with his vast art knowledge, Leonid will share his inner thoughts about his Sisyphean job, his experiences as an immigrant and the obstacles of a foreign language with a sharp, uncompromising and heartfelt sincerity. “The Broom” raises questions about immigration, identity and memories of millions of asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants leaving their countries every year in the hope of a better tomorrow.