Aspen, the picturesque mountain town in Colorado, is known for two processes, or “verbs,” relating to heritage and virtuality. One is to “moviemap,” the process of rigorously filming path and turn sequences to simulate interactive travel and to use as a spatial interface for a multimedia database. The other is to “Aspenize,” the process by which a fragile cultural ecosystem is disrupted by tourism and growth. This essay reflects on their significance and describes exemplary work integrating these two seemingly disparate concepts.

Two immersive projection environments, both unconventional, both exploring different methods of 3D and panoramic imaging, and both produced as art installations, are described. Displacements (1980–1984) recreated an interior living space using a panoramic motion picture method and relief projection. Be Now Here (1995–1997) recreated outdoor public plazas using a panoramic motion picture method, stereopsis, and four channel sound. Both installations were unusual in that no intentions existed for anything more general or useful than the installations themselves as individual artworks.