Claire Jervert is a inter-disciplinary artist investigating the evolving boundaries between humanity, technology, and identity. Through the use of immersive technologies such as AI, VR, and AR, and traditional materials she explores the intimate and often complex relationships we forge with machines.
@Claire Jervert // All right reserved
15.3767° S, 166.9592° E
Vanuatu is a group of islands located at 15.3767° S, E latitude and 166.9592° longitude in the South Pacific Ocean, 50 miles west of the microplastic islands. Vanuatu faces existential threats due to rising seas, intense storms, and stressed ecosystems which make visible the risks of loss, displacement, and cultural erosion that come with environmental change. Vanuatu is on the front line of the climate crisis. These pressures appear there early and intensely, offering a microcosm of patterns that ultimately touch all of us.
Vanuatu is a three-part multi-disciplinary project consisting of a series of experimental watercolor paintings loosely based on early British Admiralty maps, a large-scale spatial video, Ocean which receives weather data and reacts in real-time, and a suite of simple web or DWeb components to be determined. At its core Vanuatu is an artwork about place, change, and the shifting ocean environments.
I’ve been working with a university research group that studies weather patterns and biodiversity in the south seas using eDNA data. Their insights helped guide the visual direction of the revised project.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Vanuatu, the Happiest Place in the World, project became a more streamlined version. The original proposal was to create a ambitious VR/AR game. After an conducting an intensive Feasibility Study, I found that my other projects would interfere with scheduling and considering my resources, the cost was prohibitive.
The preliminary phase is complete and I’m moving into the design phase. Several watercolor paintings are completed. Ocean, created in Unity is currently in development.
First Mock up of scale
Mock up color and position
Vanuatu Island the “Happiest Place in the World” with Tutti and Fruity
In a world that shares its existence in reality and fantasy, we travel to Vanuatu (1), an island 16.0000° S latitude and 167.0000° E longitude in the South Pacific, 50 miles west of (2) Microplastic Island. Vanuatu faces existential threats due to rising sea level, ocean acidification, and the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters and is on the front line of the climate crisis.
Port Vila, Vanuatu 360 images courtesy of Blockade Labs
Kawene - : Enhanced Climate Resilience and Grid Connected Renewable Energy through Battery Storage - Port Vila, Vanuatu
Eton Beach, Vanuatu
Hideaway Island, Vanuatu
Iririki “Island of Romance”, Vanuatu
Enter the 360 degrees educational game about climate change, migration and the future. A timed game at each location will contain actionable tasks that need to be met so the the raising water will not cover the existing island
Follow “Tutti” and “Fruiti”, a pair of (3) Flying Fox Bats around the island as your guide to how to complete these tasks.
(1)Vanuatu is often referred to as one of the happiest places in the world. This reputation is primarily based on the Happy Planet Index (HPI), which measures well-being and happiness in different countries.
(2) A "microplastic island" typically refers to an area in the ocean where microplastic particles have accumulated, often due to ocean currents. These microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items and can have harmful effects on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
(3) The grey-headed flying-fox is listed as a threatened species and is protected by law because numbers have rapidly declined over a relatively short period of time. Unlike other pollinators like bees and birds, flying-foxes can transport pollen over vast distances and are also able to disperse larger seeds.
Level Design Book, (Notebook) and Sketch Gravity require deeper dive to use effectively.
Figma link
The portal interface provides the most immediate entrance from the real/virtual work into an exotic location. The user enters a safe and inviting setting via a path towards the hotels door. Here you are introduced to Tutti and Fruitti the Flying fox bats. Depending upon the resources available to develop the project, storms could be simulated, raising waters, a sky darkening with a swarm of Flying-fox bats, garbage floating in the water, people walking on the road with young children, rare bio-diversity examples throughout each area could be illustrated along with sounds of the jungle, birds, insects and animals.
The experience follows the locations visited on an app called “Live and Learn” designed by Vanuatu Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas Management Project to strengthen Vanuatu's capacity to conserve biodiversity using technology. With their permission, this app could be available to museum goers via a QR code
Vanuatu Biodiversity Conservation and Protected Areas Management Project App
The Portal=fun with AI made up text
AI’s take on the experience:
As I stepped through the shimmering portal, a rush of anticipation washed over me. The air crackled with energy, and a kaleidoscope of colors swirled around, pulling me deeper into the unknown. The portal was a gateway to a realm beyond my wildest imagination, a place where reality intertwined with fantasy.
Inside the portal, the laws of physics seemed to bend and warp, creating a surreal landscape. Gravity pulled me in strange directions, and the ground beneath my feet felt both solid and ethereal. Every step I took sent ripples through the fabric of this otherworldly dimension.
The atmosphere buzzed with a symphony of strange sounds. Echoing whispers mingled with the distant hum of creatures unknown. It was a chorus of mystique, beckoning me to explore further, to unravel the mysteries concealed within.
As I ventured deeper, intricate structures materialized before my eyes. Bridges arched and twisted, leading to unseen destinations. The architecture defied logic, a perfect harmony of beauty and impossibility.
Flowers of unimaginable hues bloomed, emitting fragrance so intoxicating it sent tingles down my spine. Their petals shimmered with iridescent light, casting a mesmerizing glow that danced across the landscape. The air was filled with the delicate scent of dreams and wonder.
Yet, amidst the mesmerizing spectacle, there was an eerie serenity. Time seemed to stand still, as if the portal existed in a perpetual moment. The tranquility was palpable, inviting introspection and introspective exploration.
Every step into the unknown filled me with simultaneous trepidation and excitement. The portal was not just a physical doorway but a doorway to new perspectives, untapped potential, and infinite possibilities. It promised adventure, enlightenment, and transformation.
Inside the portal, I found myself surrounded by the fragments of dreams and aspirations that had remained hidden, waiting to be discovered. It was a realm where imagination reigned supreme, where the boundaries of reality and fantasy merged into one.
Fruity’s journey
The VR Project's vision goes beyond mere entertainment. It seeks to leverage the potential of VR to provide practical solutions to real-world problems. It aspires to be more than a diversion; it aims to be a catalyst for positive change.
One area where The VR Project could have a significant impact is education. Traditional classrooms are often limited by physical boundaries, but through VR, students can explore and engage in interactive learning experiences.
The VR Project is not without its challenges. Technical hurdles, ethical considerations, and ensuring accessibility for all are among the complex issues it faces.
Fruity the flying bat avatar in town
Fruity the flying fox bat avatar is a charismatic guide who leads you on a journey through the pristine landscapes of Vanuatu. Fruity navigates you through dense rainforests, revealing hidden waterfalls cascading down lush mountainsides. The vibrant culture of the local communities comes alive as Fruity introduces you to the warm-hearted villagers, who share their traditional dances. Together, you explore pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters, where you snorkel alongside colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life. As dusk approaches, Fruity leads you to witness the surreal spectacle of the Yasur Volcano erupting in a mesmerizing display of lava and ash. With Fruity as your guide, Vanuatu becomes an unforgettable adventure, connecting you to the natural beauty and rich cultural tapestry of this at risk Pacific island nation.