XYZZY Fulldome Film
XYZZY is a 40 minute fulldome cinematic experience by artists Jess Johnson and Simon Ward.
Designed for planetariums, XYZZY will lead you on a psychedelic musical odyssey through the complex fictional world the artists have been evolving over a decade-long collaborative practice.
Video director Simon Ward created XYZZY by translating Jess’s hand-drawn compositions into animated webs of flesh mandalas, self-replicating architecture, undulating worms, hallucinogenic pattern, and messianic alien deities. The dynamic visual atmosphere is charged with a synthesiser soundtrack from musicians Andrew Clarke, Luke Rowell, Stef Animal and Lachlan Anderson.
Commissioned by Tūhura Otago Museum and Melbourne City Council’s Now or Never Festival
Winner Best Art Film, DOME UNDER Fulldome Film Awards Australia (2024)
Nominated Best Art Film, Best of the Earth Fulldome Awards (2025)
More info here https://xyzzy.film/
Previous screenings ….
Tūhura Otago Museum, Ōtepoti Dunedin NZ (from 2023 – )
Now Or Never Festival, Naarm Melbourne Aus (2023)
Stardome, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland NZ (2024)
Space Place, Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington NZ (2024)
Adelaide Fringe Festival, Aus (2024)
Dome Fest West, Colorado USA (2024)
Liberty Science Center, New Jersey … in association with Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, USA (2024)
Scienceworks Melbourne Planetarium, AUS (2024)
Cult VR, Cardiff, Wales … as part of Best of the Earth Dome Film Awards (2025)
Press:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/08-12-2023/xyzzy-is-a-buzzy-good-time-at-the-stardome
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2018917807/taking-art-to-the-stars
