Expanded Realities Conversations with Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Patrick Moran

Mizuguchi has been actively involved in creating highly unique experiences that challenge and engage the human sensory. At the core of his work is synesthesia — the crossing of the senses — and activating one’s imagination and feelings through the power of technology-driven interactive arts.

One recent example is the award-winning virtual reality (VR) game Rez Infinite, paired with the Synesthesia Suit — a full body haptic suit augmenting the visual auditory sensory experience with the sense of touch. Another is the Synesthesia X1 — a device that takes it a step further where letting go of your body makes you feel as if you’re wrapped in a world of sounds, lights, and vibrations.

In addition to heading Enhance, Mizuguchi is the principal of the Synesthesia Lab and also serves as a project professor at Keio University Graduate School of Media Design. He led the panel of judges for the Entertainment Division of the 2007 Japan Media Arts Festival and has served as a jury on many competitions.

Mizuguchi’s game credits include Rez (2001)/Rez Infinite (2016), Lumines (2004)/Lumines Remastered (2018), Child of Eden (2011) and Tetris Effect (2018)/Tetris Effect: Connected, all of which have received high praise and numerous awards.

As Acting Co-Head Patrick Moran oversees the Barbican International Enterprises (BIE) touring exhibition programme. Through immersive exhibitions, BIE reframe audiences' understanding of contemporary subjects and explore inspirational and challenging societal topics. These projects showcase popular culture and digital creativity to international audiences.  

Patrick’s curatorial projects include Virtual Realms: Videogames Transformed, Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics, and Game On. He has collaborated with artists, designers, museums and art centres worldwide to develop and showcase BIE's pioneering exhibitions.