The Archa Theatre will present a performance about virtual cities

Prague - The phenomenon of virtual cities is the theme of Jan Mocek's new production, Virtual Ritual. It is based on online video games that millions of people engage with daily around the world. The space where they meet is perceived by Mocek as a new city, where different rules apply than in the real one. Three performers will guide the audience into this parallel world: urban planner Osamu Okamura, YouTuber Atlet, and photographer Adéla Vosičková. The play will premiere on October 2 and 3 at the Archa Theatre in Prague. This culminates a four-year cultural project, Shared Cities: Creative Momentum.

"I am interested in finding connections between the virtual and the real. I often encounter the view that video games are just entertainment for children or an escape from reality. However, the gaming industry has grown in recent years to such an extent that it has begun to change the way we have fun, how we communicate with each other, and where we meet. Virtual and real can no longer be separated. One impacts the other, and both need to be taken seriously," Mocek stated.

It addresses what can be the subject of a game, what norms and rules of behavior can be transcended in virtual space versus in reality, and what role gaming principles play in society. With the use of live video, 3D animations, and YouTube formats, the performance Virtual Ritual highlights hidden connections between reality and virtual space, which are gaining importance against the backdrop of the rapidly growing gaming industry.

"In the performance Virtual Ritual, I play myself, portraying an architect who guides the audience through a virtual city and comments on it from an urban planning perspective. Gaming cities are primarily programmed to allow maximum player experience, dynamic movement, and to offer a sufficiently diverse environment. Comparing virtual and real cities gives us a new perspective on how to view a city, and in certain respects offers critical reflection for urban planning," noted architect Osamu Okamura, one of the performing artists.

Shared Cities: Creative Momentum is a four-year cultural project that connects eleven partner organizations from seven European cities. It is a platform at the intersection of architecture, art, urbanism, and the sharing economy, contributing to the transformation of cities. The project's aim is to demonstrate to urban residents that their participation and collaboration are vital for creating a pleasant and valuable urban environment.