Oh man, this thing called Soul Paint. Ever heard of it? It’s like this VR trip where you get to scribble in 3D while diving deep into your own noggin. Kind of weird, right? Sarah Ticho and Niki Smit cooked it up. And guess who’s talking you through it? Yep, Rosario Dawson. Fancy, huh?
So, they kicked it off at SXSW 2024. Picture this: you’re floating around in some dreamy space, almost like you’re a ghost or something, and you’re handed virtual brushes to doodle across this… well, cosmic canvas, maybe. Sounds like something out of a dream I once had after one too many late-night burritos. Anyway, you’re supposed to “meet your emotions” or whatever. I can barely meet a deadline.
It mixes body-map mumbo jumbo with VR stuff. Apparently, it’s all about getting in touch with your feels and maybe becoming all warm and fuzzy with humanity. And hey, when you’re done, you can share your emotional masterpiece with random folks. Fun, right?
I gave it a whirl at NewImages Festival 2025. Just 20 minutes of my life, but oh boy, they start with a heavy hitter: “Where are you feeling?” Not the best question for someone who misplaces their keys every morning. But before long, it’s all, I don’t know, spiritual or something. Floating around, painting feelings. My art? Well, let’s just say I’m no Picasso, but I made some scribbles that meant something in that moment, I think.
You doodle over your digital self, and then — get this — you leave a voice note at the end. Like a little audio time capsule that, maybe someday, someone else will hear. Sharing without words can be, uh, comforting? Or just plain awkward. Not sure.
Soul Paint’s supposed to be this reflective VR mirror thing. While it doesn’t run too deep, it’s got this calm, sort of mindful vibe. Not the kind of full-on adventure you’d expect, but there’s something quietly profound about it. More heart than head.
No clue if it’ll roll out to my living room soon, but fingers crossed. If I hear anything, you’ll be the first to know.
