Inspired by Sci-Fi, comics and fantasy movies, Jess Johnson and Simon Ward: Terminus is a virtual reality installation that transports the viewer into an imaginary landscape of colour and pattern populated by human clones, moving walkways and gateways to new realms.
With their pioneering use of virtual reality, artists Jess Johnson and Simon Ward hold a unique position among contemporary art practitioners. Johnson’s drawings are transformed from analogue into digital and from solo practice into cross-disciplinary collaboration, forming the basis of this virtual experience. Animated by Ward and enriched with input from Smith and Clarke, the result is Terminus: a mysterious universe of alien architecture populated by humanoid clones and cryptic symbols, explored via a network of travellators and gateways.
The exhibition also features 11 Jess Johnson artworks generously loaned by the Elliott Eyes Collection and includes three custom printed skateboard decks and a series of gouache, pen and fibre-tipped marker works on paper.
Terminus presents a quest, a choose your own adventure into the technological. Prepare yourself for a slippage of time and space as your journey propels you through five distinct realms.
Plan Your Visit
Terminus includes five virtual reality experiences which are about 5½minutes each in duration. You will need to allow between 30 minutes to one hour for your adventure. As each experience is individual, you might find there is a short wait before you can begin your quest. You can take this time to explore the immersive environment of Terminus.
VR headsets are not recommended for children under seven years old. For children under seven years, parent discretion is advised.
All children under the age of 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Terminus: Jess Johnson and Simon Ward is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by Visions of Australia and the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program. Terminus was commissioned with the assistance of The Balnaves Foundation
