Watering the somatic oasis still, VR Still, 2023

Digital somatics: To breathe as stars do

by Hiba Ali

Digital somatics connects the body to technology through immersion and practices of slowness in relation to our bodies and technology. How can we use technological mediums such as VR, AR, and immersive technologies to slow down time? Ali inquires, how can we use technology to heal and connect somatically to our bodies? As a world builder and digital storyteller, Ali uses the framework of digital somatics, a term they developed, where they use technology to connect back to our bodies and to call forth a more loving world. In their digital art practice, they use principles of game design with 3D animation, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) and immersive installations to create liminal spaces where they engage in world building, storytelling and digital somatics. Digital technology is often coupled with instant gratification and speed, this can create an environment of anxiety and overconsumption of our precious resources and digital somatics invites us to be guided by slowness and corporal sensation. 

In this eponymously titled exhibition, Digital somatics: To breathe as stars do, we are guided to breath with 3D water droplets and stardust. Entering into the gallery, there are two rounded diagonally arranged alcoves. 

In one alcove, viewers are invited to Watering the Somatic Oasis (2023) VR installation to navigate an interactive 3D environment that uses the immediacy of technologies, water and somatic techniques to “slow” down time. Viewers are invited to put on the VR headset and tune it to the guided meditation. Through stimulating digital water and bilateral movement techniques, this project restores slowness back into our bodies by regulating the nervous system. 

In the adjacent diagonal alcove, Lullabies for tears (2024), a VR installation, where visitors are guided by the star, Ali’s avatar, on a somatic body-processing journey. This somatic journey into our sensorial body brings with it an awareness of the primordial nature of our senses particularly guided towards tuning into the star dust that surrounds us. 

Both of these meditative somatic experiences are part of Ali’s digital somatic practice and show us avenues for coming back to ourselves, and consequently, back to the world. 

Hiba Ali

Hiba Ali Ph.D. shares their digital art in the form of immersive digital environments, sculpture-based installations, moving images, garments, and sound. They developed the term “digital somatics” to embody the body-mind-spirit connection to the principles of game design, worldbuilding and narrative storytelling. They use virtual reality, 3D animation, and augmented reality to slow down time and create portals of solace and care, and consider the digital portal as a liminal space where they call forth more loving and healing into our world. Their work has been presented in VBKÖ, Vienna; Deichtorhallen Internationale Kunst und Fotografie, Hamburg; re:publica, Berlin; Centre A, Vancouver; Horse Hospital, 15 Folds, London; Ars Electronica Festival, Onassis Stegi, Athens; Chicago Architecture Biennial; Portland Art Museum; Interaccess, Trinity Video Square, Images Festival, Toronto; Alserkal Avenue, Dubai; Dhow Countries Music Academy, Zanzibar; Rehnsgatan 3, Stockholm; Kalakendra, Dhaka; UMAM D&R, Beirut; Oberhausen International Short Film Festival; Belladonna, Index NYC, New York City; imc5533, Istanbul; and File-Electronic Language International Festival, São Paulo.