Mediums:
Virtual Reality, 3D Modelling, WebGL 3D online simulation, Full Colour Digital Holograms with 3D printed sculptures

Project Description:
The Upper Side of the Sky began as a virtual reality thesis project in 2019, and has transformed into various updated versions throughout the years. From 360° video, film, VR and most recently in 2024, its current life form is a WebGL. The advantages of WebGL is the ability to experience these simulations using a keyboard, mouse and internet connection, from your own personal computer or in a contemporary gallery setting.

The Upper Side of The Sky investigates the resurrection of archaeology and re-contextualizing nature, that are now endangered or non existent as a result of war and destruction. This digital ecosystem consists of a greenhouse, courtyard, chrysalis chamber, and destroyed monuments from the ancient Syrian desert Palmyra. In the context of technology that is threatening nature, there is a chance for us to re-utilize it, as a provider of lives. Digitizing lost architecture with plant life, not to save them, but to give them an opportunity to live in different life forms.  "Monuments, as embodiment of history, religion, art and science, are significant and complex repositories of cultural narratives” words by Roger Michel, the Executive Director of the Institute for Digital Archaeology.

Audio:
Original 360 soundtrack directed by Jawa El Khash. Co-produced and co-designed by Patrick Perez and Those Who From Heaven To Earth Came

Tools:
Unity Gaming Engine, Houdini Side FX, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Substance Designer & Adobe Substance Painter, VIVE HTC Headset

Exhibitions:
2024 — Group Exhibition - Victoria & Alberts Museum - Jameel Art Prize: Moving Images curated by Rachel Dedman - London, UK & Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2024 — Group Exhibition - Trinity Square Video - Spectral Futures curated by Vince Rozario, funded by the Canadian Council for the Arts - Toronto, Canada

2020 — Group Exhibition - Western Front - Recollective: Vancouver Independent Archives Week online exhibition curated by Dana Qaddah - Vancouver, Canada 

2020 — Group Exhibition - Mutek Festival - Distant Arcades - Montreal, Canada

2020 — Group Exhibition - Trinity Square Video -  2020 Emerging Digital Artist Exhibition curated by Shannon Linde - Toronto, Canada

2020 — Solo Exhibition - InterAccess - Toronto, Canada

2019 — Solo Exhibition - Extracurricular XYZ - Toronto, Canada

2019 - GradEX - Thesis OCAD University - Toronto, Canada

Press:
"Jameel Prize: Moving Images shortlisted projects" Victoria & Alberts Museum

"Artists Shirin Fahimi and Jawa El Khash turn to the digital to reimagine what history has lost" CBC Arts, written by Angel Callander

"Episode XI. Media Genealogies and Haptic Geographies" for Flash Art Magazine online edition written by Alex Estorick and Laura U. Marks

"Posterity & Expatriation" -  Interview transcript with Dana Qaddah for Archives Week Vancouver

"A World Where Flowers Reign" for Archives Week Vancouver online edition written by Laura U. Marks

"The Upper Side of the Sky" for Interaccess online edition written by Vince Rozario

"Jawa El Khash's latest work resurrects lost artefacts in a virtual afterlife" for It's Nice That online edition written by Lorna Pittaway