• Allianz Explorer Zone at e-Village offers cutting edge immersive virtual reality experience
• Partnership with MoMA allows visitors to experience the work of artist Bodys Isek Kingelez both in person and through virtual reality
• Explorer Micro-Conference at MoMA PS1 investigates how the collaboration of different disciplines could create a more equitable city
New York, July 10, 2018 – As the Formula E Racing season draws to a close, Allianz, Global Insurer also known for its Asset Management companies PIMCO and AllianzGI, chose the occasion of the double header race finale in NYC as a celebration of its Global Explorer Program. Building on the company´s long term partnerships with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the global ABB FIA Formula E Championship, Allianz creates an immersive virtual reality experience for museum visitors and race fans alike. Topping off the race season, the company invites New Yorkers to join the Explorer micro-conference –
NYC edition at MoMA PS1 to discuss collaboration and co-creation between disciplines as science fact and science fiction begin to merge.
“Collaboration and co-creation between disciplines, people and partners enables innovative and sustainable solutions for the future. And with the support of our amazing global art and mobility partners MoMA and the ABB FIA Formula E, we have the unique opportunity to explore the visionary power of technology and art here in New York City and invite New Yorkers to join us in exploring the future”, says Jean-Marc Pailhol, Head of Group Market Management and Distribution at Allianz SE.
As ten race team teams battle it out against the iconic backdrop of the Manhattan skyline in a bid to be crowned Formula E season 2017/18 champion, Allianz offers visitors of the race in Red Hook, Brooklyn the possibility of exploring the future in a unique full body virtual reality flight experience. The cutting edge technology experience allows visitors to soar through four uniquely created virtual universes. Starting off in the New York of today, the flight takes explorers into the future – encountering many of the technologies that are already in place from manned drones to unmanned AI vehicles, before finally touching down on Mars of the future. Taking an unexpected turn, the experience allows the visitors to change perspectives and view the future through the eyes and work of artist Bodys Isek Kingelez as they sail through a precisely modelled virtual recreation of the artist’s spectacular, large-scale city sculpture Ville Fantôme (1996).
In the Kunsthalle of MoMA PS1 in Brooklyn, Alex Klokus, Co-Founder and CEO of Futurism hosted the Allianz Explorer Micro-Conference on how we will shape the future of cities. From crowdsourced laws to using technology as a time machine to the role of architecture and design in building humane cities, the conference touched a broad spectrum of topics and opinions. The illustrous panel, consisting of Beth Noveck, former US deputy Chief Technology Officer, currently Director of Governance Lab and a Professor at New York University, James Ramsey, co-founder of Raadstuff and creator of the Lowline as well as a former satellite engineer at NASA and Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator for Architecture and Design at the Museum of Moden Art (MoMA) and its´ founding Director of Research and Development, offered personal and professional insights on the past, present and future of cities in an engaged and passionate discussion.
