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INSIDER-OUTSIDER is a virtual reality artwork inspired by the life of Henry Darger, an internationally renowned "outsider artist" whose work remained unknown until his death. While secluded in his Chicago room from 1930 and until his passing in 1973, he produced countless writings, paintings, and song lyrics. In stark contrast to today's society where everything is exhibited, Darger never shared his work with anyone. Yet, his quasi-esoteric vision of the world now seems to resonate with reality: heroines and child soldiers, sometimes transgender, battling evil forces to save the world from Apocalypse.

The experience INSIDER-OUTSIDER is a co-production between Lucid Realities and Philippe Cohen Solal’s company Science & Melody. Philippe Cohen Solal (Gotan Project) is a musician who has been carrying out for 3 years an ambitious transmedia project titled OUTSIDER, blending music, animations, and artistic performances to reinterpret the work of this "marginal" artist. 

The INSIDER-OUTSIDER virtual reality experience continues the sensory, musical, aural and visual exploration of the OUTSIDER project. The experience will unfold in 4 tableaux based on 4 tracks from the OUTSIDER album, and will feature the attack against the Vivian Girls, a group of 7 young girls who are the protagonists of Darger's work, and their victory over their assailants. Throughout the experience, participants will evolve inside the world of OUTSIDER. They will have to interact with the environment to protect the Vivian Girls from the cruelty of the world, wars and devastating weather elements (storms, tornadoes... ).

Music remains at the heart of the experience.  Like a conductor, the user can interact with musical objects, gradually adding musical elements to (re)create the final song.