In my series of works Qorporal Quests, I explore the challenges of the digital world in times of crisis by combining analog and digital techniques—ranging from charcoal drawings and flipbooks to virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence—encouraging reflection along the way. Following works on science, climate change, and artificial intelligence, this work, Qalvinist Qosmos, focuses on religion.
Although I have been an atheist since the age of twelve, I grew up in the Netherlands in a Calvinist family. In my project Qalvinist Qosmos I process these formative experiences. It combines personal memories with an artistic reflection on the contemporary role of Calvinism, where notions of sin, the devil, and the longing for God shape life.
A central work is the large-scale wall drawing The Broad & Narrow Way, which I create live during exhibitions. Inspired by the Calvinist image of the same name, I add QR codes to the drawing that, when scanned, generate animated augmented reality scenes. These are projected onto another wall while simultaneously appearing on visitors’ smartphones. A recurring symbol is the eye of God, which – as in my childhood – watches over my every step. A special code on my back makes white and black wings appear alternately while I draw, so that angels and demons symbolically take possession of me as I step onto the “broad or narrow path.”
In parallel, the project also includes the 360° VR video Qalvinist Qosmos. As the Deer Pants. In it, I walk winged along the narrow path, while drawn animations cross my way. Beside me, a little girl – my younger self – skips along, singing solemn psalms recorded by my grandfather when I was only two years old. > The video has its own dedicated page – with trailer and further information.
Exhibitions and presentations:
• October 4-26, 2025: In Transition, Galerie VBK Berlin. Augmented reality drawing performance The Broad & Narrow Way
• September 6-19, 2025: rem (Rapid Eye Movement), Galeria Sztuki Rozruch, Poznań, Poland. Video + virtual reality Qalvinist Qosmos. As the Deer Pants
• August 24 – September 28, 2025: Weites Feld, Kulturmühle Perwenitz. Video + virtual reality Qalvinist Qosmos. As the Deer Pants
• April 11 – May 11, 2025: UPDATE 25, Galerie VBK Berlin. Video Qalvinist Qosmos. As the Deer Pants
• January 23 – March 8, 2025: MeeresStern, INSELGALERIE Berlin.
What key concepts does Maria Korporal explore in her “Qorporal Quests” series as a whole, and how does “Qalvinist Qosmos” complement that exploration?
The most important key question of “Qorporal Quests” is: How would we interpret digital signs if we were locked in a bunker without electricity and the internet? In “Qalvinist Qosmos” I explore this through the complex interaction of pure material/analogue drawing and signs, based on my personal memories, and at the same time the digital output of these signs with augmented reality. It is up to the viewer to interpret.