Voices of VR #1692: Playful Remixing of Scanned Animal Body Parts in “We Are Dead Animals”
Dec 7, 2025
Maarten Isaak de Heer, an animator and immersive artist, delves into his innovative work, We Are Dead Animals, where he 3D scans and reanimates found dead animals. He shares fascinating insights into his scanning process and the creation of a dome installation reflecting the cycle of life and death. The discussion also touches on gameplay mechanics, empathy towards animals, and incorporating stories into scanned creatures. Maarten's unique blend of art and technology offers a playful and thought-provoking exploration of mortality and renewal.
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Collecting And Reanimating Roadkill
- Maarten collected and 3D scanned dead animals he found locally, then rigged them as puppets for VR and dome pieces.
- He describes the process as playful sandboxing that lets him 'reanimate' real-life finds for storytelling and art.
Scanning From Lice To Wild Boar
- Maarten scanned tiny creatures like a head louse using a microscope and larger finds like a wild boar via a hunter connection.
- Each scan carried a story and hunting them became part of the artistic practice.
Dome Piece As Endless Cycle
- The dome version was non-interactive and framed the animals' life-death cycle as an endless paradisal transformation.
- Maarten used found dead organic materials to build a paradise where creatures detach and are reborn in a flowing loop.