The Root Cause, based on my flash fiction piece was transformed into a multimedia immersive website hosted at www.thestationportal.org. This project was published by Voidspace, an interactive arts platform, and featured in the Voidspace LIVE event at Theatre Deli, London, in 2024. The site integrates elements of speculative fiction, societal critique, and interactive storytelling, inviting users to engage with the unsettling world of The Station. I composed the music and created all materials, including ancillary social media accounts on Instagram and YouTube to accompany the storytelling world.
Themes and Experience
At its core, The Root Cause explores themes of accountability, societal control, and the blurred lines between justice and oppression. Through an official press release format, the narrative chronicles the unsettling case of Julia Falcon Delaware, an 11-year-old whose actions trigger the enforcement of the Root Cause protocol. The story probes deeply into societal dynamics, focusing on the themes of collective judgment, surveillance, parent-child autonomy, ritualized governance, and societal collapse.
The website offers an interactive narrative experience that immerses users in the dystopian world of The Station:
Interactive Case Files: Users can delve into Julia Falcon Delaware's story through multimedia artifacts, including video evidence, eyewitness accounts, and judicial documents. Community Polling Simulation: Visitors participate in simulated polls, mirroring the public's role in the story's governance structure. "Live" Media Streaming: Access footage of pivotal events including the Dismissal.
Voidspace LIVE Presentation
The project gained acclaim when it was showcased at Voidspace LIVE in London. The theatrical event expanded the immersive experience by integrating live performance, VR elements, and audience participation. Attendees were transported into the Station’s world, grappling with ethical dilemmas that mirrored the site’s themes.