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an artwork for smartphones and cemeteries

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Look deeply, listen closely…

Chapter One

Hidden in plain sight at the centre of a 300 year old painting lurks a mysterious void that promises oblivion to those who stare too intently. Download Vanitas now to inspect the evidence for yourself, listen to the experts and make sense of the past with its traces in the present.

Vanitas mixes podcast-style listening with beautiful visual materials to create an experience that is part documentary, part fantasy. Just like real life there is no narrator, so it is up to you to pull fact from fiction as the world unfurls before your senses.

70 minutes | 6 episodes | 24 pathways

FREE – Download Now

visit cemetery…

Chapter Two

Somewhere near the centre of the cemetery a woman waits with a promise to explain the meaning of a mysterious flower delivery. The trouble is finding her as you pick your way amongst the graves, alone.

Vanitas is an opportunity to spend some time alone in the presence of strangers both living and dead. More than an app, Vanitas stretches from its recorded voices, original composition and images, out into your smartphone, the cemetery around you and into your life.

Warning: Contains adult themes including discussion of death, burial and cremation procesess. Involves moving alone through cemetery for approximately 60 minutes. 

60-70 minutes | 11 episodes | 216 pathways

Free Download – Experience at participating cemeteries

Features

an artwork for smartphones and cemeteries
FREE DOWNLOAD
The app and Chapter One is completely free. Download now and tell us what you think.
CHAPTER ONE
Six short episodes explore all things Vanitas, featuring the voices of curators, florists, flower growers, botanists, flower painters and artists.
ELEGENT INTERFACE
Unique, handcrafted interface based on Rachel Ruysch’s painting from 1700, Vase with Flowers.
IMMERSIVE SOUND
Don your headphones and tune into a soundscape created from field recordings, interviews and original music.
CHAPTER TWO
Eleven short episodes explore the purpose of cemeteries, burial and cremation, taking you closer to your own date with destiny.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
A new way to experience both your phone and cemeteries. Reflect on your own future and how you make meaning in your own life.

COMING TO A CEMETERY NEAR YOU?

Vanitas has been presented at the Festival of Live Art, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Melbourne Writer’s Festival and  Sunshine Coast’s Horizon Festival. Now we are working with festivals, venues and iconic cemeteries around the world to bring you and Vanitas closer together.

Get in touch to find out more

FEEDBACK

kind words from Vanitas audience members

After the final episode concluded I continued to wander and explore a little longer... you had given me much to think about and reflect on. When I got home I listened again (several times) to all the episodes in the app. A fascinating journey you have taken us on!

Deirdre
Audience Member

I thought Vanitas was fantastic. A beautifully crafted set of narratives. Funny, well resolved and highly educational. It took me to some amazing places...

Rose
Audience Member

Thank you for an incredibly real and beautiful work - it was unlike anything I have ever experienced before and I was completely taken with it. The detail in the different layers that made up the experience was exquisite.

Dani
Audience Member

Vanitas was wonderful. Intriguing, moving, fascinating. I spent 2 hours and wanted more....Thanks creators. You have made a beautiful thing.

Wendy
Audience Member

A fascinating exploration of death, presented in such a unique way. Thanks for the experience and the contemplation.

Steph
Audience Member

Immersive and intriguing as the first Chapter was, the cemetary session was a special gift, leading me - and deceiving me - to a still point from which to observe and ponder the turning world.

Morgana
Audience Member

That was one of the most amazing immersive experiences that I have ever participated in. It is sure to be the highlight of the Melbourne Writers Festival for me!

Diana
Audience Member

Walking through Melbourne Cemetery this morning, all my senses tickled and turned. There was a moment when the flowers were moving in accordance to your music! It was very special, thank you for closing the gap between life and death.

Casey
Audience Member

WATCH TRAILER

LATEST NEWS

occasional stories from the team

Vanitas Nominated for Greenroom Awards

The Vanitas Team are delighted to have been nominated for the following Green Room Awards in the CONTEMPORARY AND EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE category:...

March 6, 2019
Read More

Vanitas at Melbourne Writers Festival

Vanitas was recently programmed as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival (25 & 26 August and 1 & 2 September 2018) ,...

September 4, 2018
Read More

Vanitas at Horizon Festival, Queensland

Vanitas had its first outing outside of Victoria recently, when it was programmed as part of the Horizon Festival in Queensland....

September 1, 2018
Read More

Vanitas: An App To Die For

A new article in Pursuit by Robert Walton. The Webby Award-nominated, immersive art app that explores the themes of death and...

April 16, 2018
Read More

Vanitas has been nominated for a Webby – vote now

A new story by Robert Walton in Precinct. To read the whole story click here. To vote for Vanitas in The...

April 16, 2018
Read More

Vanitas Nominated for Webby Award

Webbys are the ‘oscars of the internet’ and our tiny team is over the moon to be nominated – it means...

April 4, 2018
Read More
View All Posts

DOWNLOAD VANITAS NOW

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it’s official…

Vanitas Nominated for Webby Award

Mobile Sites & Apps – Art & Experimental Category 2018

Webbys are the ‘oscars of the internet’ and our tiny team was thoroughly chuffed to be nominated – it means Vanitas is one of the five best projects in the world for our category.

Vanitas was the only artwork and only Australian team nominated in our category.

Thank you to everyone who voted for us and to the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for the nomination.

FAQs

frequently asked questions
I've downloaded the app, what should I do now?
When you have some time to focus on Vanitas, open the app, plug your headphones in, press the flashing tulip, and start Chapter One. Listening to the tulip episode unlocks four more flowers. Listening to those four unlocks the final flower of Chapter One.

If you have listened to all of Chapter One, it is time to go to the cemetery.
What are the technical requirements for the app?
To experience Vanitas you will need:

1. Your own Apple or Android smartphone* with an internet connection,
2. Your own headphones,
3. An email address.

For the cemetery you will need:

4. An Australian mobile telephone number,
5. A coat or umbrella in case of rain or suncream and hat in case of sun,
6. Sturdy footwear. Heels, thongs/flip-flops not recommended,
7. Your own phone. Each audience member needs their own phone. Sharing one phone between two is not possible,
8. To download the App from App Store or Google Play before you visit.

*iPhone 5 or higher with up to date installation of iOS OR Android 4 or higher. Sadly at this stage we are not able to support Windows phones.
I've booked to go to the cemetery, but I haven't listened to Chapter One yet. Is it essential?
We think you will get the most out of the cemetery experience (Chapter Two) if you have listened to Chapter One.

However, you can still fully appreciate Chapter Two as a stand alone experience. It is not essential to listen to Chapter One before you go, and you can listen afterwards if that's what works for you.
No cemeteries are participating near me! What should I do?
The best thing to do is to tell your local cemetery trust or arts centre about this project and ask them to get in touch. We've designed the project so it can travel to different places, but it does cost us something each time so we need to partner with cemeteries or arts festivals to set everything up properly.

Keep checking the website. If new cemeteries come on board you will find out here first.

Also, if you've completed Chapter 1 we should have your details and can keep you up to date by email.
I got to the end but I want more!
That's great! We have the material for a whole new chapter, we just need some more funding to develop it... Please tell your friends about Vanitas and get them to download.
Where do all the paintings come from?
Vase with Flowers (1700) by Rachel Ruysch is the Vanitas home screen. The original painting is held at The Mauritshuis in The Hague, The Netherlands. Ruysch's painting and her life were one of the inspirations for the Vanitas project.

Details of the pictures in the app can be found on the credits page of this website.
My question is not answered here, what should I do?
Please use the form below to get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you.

You can also send us feedback, things you'd like to see in Vanitas and accounts of your experiences.

CREDITS

Creative Team
Vanitas Creators Robert Walton and Jason Maling

Interaction Design and Programming Chris Heywood

Sound Design and Composition Rob Jordan

Graphic Design Paul Ducco at Supernaut

Producer Ryan Galbraith

Featured Interviewees
Sophie Mathieson National Gallery of Victoria

Roger Spencer Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Margaret Stones and Irena Zdanowicz

Elly Carroll Artist and Florist

Will Babbington, Dr Celestina Sagazio and Chris Gelley The Southern Melbourne Cemeteries Trust

Kythys

Thanks To
Everyone at Melbourne Market Cut Flower Trading Centre. Josh Wright, Jackie Johnston and Angharad Wynne-Jones at Arts House. Deirdre O’Brien at Auspicious Arts. Sara Jane Bailes, Tim Phillips, Ryan Galbraith and Louisa Lim. Asphodelus.

Everyone who volunteered for test audiences.

Vanitas is part of In Your Hands, commissioned by Arts House and the Australia Council for the Arts through the New Digital Theatre Initiative.

Nominees like Robert Walton and Jason Maling (Vanitas) are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet. It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the over 13,000 entries we received this year.
–  Claire Graves, Executive Director of The Webby Awards

CONTACT

send us your feedback, we’d love to hear from you
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We are based in Melbourne

Please use the form to get in touch.

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Cemetery Show Times

Daylight Hours

    Vanitas

    there are always flowers for those who wish to see them
    © 2018 Robert Walton and Jason Maling.
     

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