Downfall of the Virtual Human

Downfall of Virtual Human is a multimedia and VR art series that explores the birth, downfall, and transformation of virtual beings. The work highlights the fleeting nature of digital entities that are easily consumed and discarded, critically examin- ing how virtual women’s images are sexually commodified. It reinterprets how female bodies are constructed and consumed in Korean society, offering a new narrative structure at the intersection of technology and art. The series consists of both a 2D video and an interactive VR experience, designed for audiences to first engage with the video before immersing themselves in a deeper, exploratory journey through VR. Part 1 (8 minutes 30 seconds) documents the downfall and transformation of Mizzy, a virtual human, as she is consumed and discarded in online spaces. Utilizing 3D modeling and 2D live broadcasting technol- ogies, the piece concludes with Mizzy persisting as transformed data rather than being entirely erased. Part 2 (approximately 15 minutes) expands into an interactive VR experience where participants explore the remnants of Mizzy’s virtual existence. Embodying future humans, they navigate Mizzy’s fragmented world alongside a pick-me bird (Acanthopneuste rubiginosus) that she once cared for. The journey culminates with Mizzy reciting Nina’s monologue from Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull in a mechanical voice, evoking the shared struggles of women across time. By the end of the experience, Mizzy returns to her statue form. This project goes beyond simply depicting virtual humans; it is an experimental narrative that examines how virtual bodies are created, consumed, and ultimately lose their meaning. By questioning the construction of female bodies in the digital era and the philosophical implications of technological existence, Downfall of Virtual Human invites reflection on the value of forgotten digital beings.