Jess Johnson & Simon Ward: Terminus

Inspired by Sci-Fi, comics and fantasy movies, Jess Johnson and Simon Ward: Terminus is a virtual reality (VR) installation that transports the viewer into an imaginary landscape of colour and pattern populated by human clones, moving walkways and gateways to new realms.

With their pioneering use of virtual reality, artists Jess Johnson and Simon Ward hold a unique position amongst contemporary art practitioners. Johnson’s drawings are transformed from analogue into digital, and from solo practice into cross-disciplinary collaboration, forming the basis of this virtual experience. Animated by Ward and enriched with input from Smith and Clarke, the result is Terminus: a mysterious universe of alien architecture populated by humanoid clones and cryptic symbols, explored via a network of travellators and gateways.

Terminus presents a quest, a choose-your-own adventure into the technological. Prepare yourself for a slippage of time and space as your journey propels you through five distinct realms.

Jess Johnson and Simon Ward: Terminus is a Know My Name project and part of the The Balnaves Contemporary Series.

Curator: Jaklyn Babington, Senior Curator Contemporary Art

Plan your visit

Terminus includes five VR experiences, which are each approximately 5:30 minutes in duration. You may need to allow between 30 minutes to 1 hour for your adventure. As each experience is individual you may find there is a short wait before you can begin your quest. You may want to take this time to explore Terminus’ immersive environment.

This touring exhibition was sponsored by Visions of Australia, a National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach program.

• Hamilton Gallery, VIC
  8 April – 5 June 2022
• Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, NSW
  25 June – 28 August 2022
• Western Plains Cultural Centre, NSW
  8 October – 4 December 2022
• Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, NSW
  13 December 2022 – 6 February 2023
• Hyphen Wodonga, VIC
  20 May – 13 August 2023