Artists Reflection: The Digital Exhibit

Following the pedagogical approach of Sensory, Affective, Imaginative, Land-Based (SAIL), the Spanish Doll 3D Exhibit seeks to provide viewers with an opportunity to meet the Spanish Doll in a unique environment.

The 3D Exhibit utilizes a playful blend of academic and field-based environments to demonstrate the context of Spanish Doll's creation.

When first entering the Spanish Doll 3D Exhibit, there is a simple text-based introduction to the game's movement mechanics. Once players can move their character, they are immediately met with a bright, colorful space where they can choose what they would like to explore. 

The first emotions the 3D Exhibit seeks to evoke are curiosity and comfort. The player should be comforted by the warm colors, soft lighting, and house-like appearance of the initial game space. However, the player should also be drawn to the mysterious enclosed space nearby and the staircase around the corner.

The main floor of the exhibit is divided into four different areas: the game start, an introduction to Maria and her doll collection; an exploratory walkthrough of the Corpus Christi Festival; and the stairway to the second floor. The 3D Exhibit attempts to connect with the sense of simulated touch through the use of an interactive 3D space, where players may jump, run, and climb over many of the digital assets. There are even stools the player can jump onto and sit upon as they read about Maria and her doll collection. 

The section dedicated to the Corpus Christi Festival is intended to replicate the solemn procession of the festival. 

The procession starts at the Toledo Cathedral, and in the game, there is a 3D model of the Cathedral, which the player must pass to go outside into the stone walkway. Then, the player is met with a large illuminated image of the famous Monstrance de Arfe and, as they step through the walkway, they step onto a ground covered with plant material and decorated with hanging images of tapestries. The careful attention placed on where the assets were located along the walkway was meant to allow the player to experience a part of the Corpus Christi procession. When the player walks back to the main building to continue exploring, they must pass the Cathedral again as if they returned the Monsterance and completed the procession.

Once back into the main space, the stairwell enters the player's direct eyeline. Up the stairs is where the setting of the exhibit shifts towards a more familiar museum space. The lighting becomes pointed, and there is a clear selection of images lining the walls. A player-sized 3D model of the Spanish Doll is in the center of the room, quietly demanding attention within the exhibit space. The 3D Exhibit intended to allow the doll to be taller than the player so they are not quite at eye level with her, and must look up to see her face. This was done to playfully reverse some of the typical power-dynamics between viewer and doll. The 3D model of the Spanish Doll is positioned and sized to ensure that she is the center of the exhibit; this is her domain where she gains some of her deserved attention within an academic environment.

The 3D Spanish Doll Exhibit is meant to be an opportunity for players to learn about the doll in a fun, multi-directional, and interactive manner. The 3D Exhibit utilizes the senses of sight and simulated touch to evoke feelings of curiosity and comfort.