SPHERE & The Dali Dome

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

Immersive art experiences have taken the world by storm. By creating 360 degree animated environments typically using a combination of visual projections and LED technology, visitors to these experiences have been introduced to (and immersed in) the artworks of Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, da Vinci and more.

I am all for making art more accessible to the greater public. Museums and art galleries, while created for the benefit of the masses, sometimes carry an air of elitism and can be perceived as standoffish. Plus, some art institutions carry a hefty price tag for admission. In my experience, $20 – $25 per ticket is quickly becoming the new normal, even for art institutions in smaller communities with smaller, less impressive collections.

That said, it seems that folks do not mind spending that same amount of cash for an immersive art experience, despite the fact that you can spend all day in a museum, while an immersive experience lasts about an hour. Maybe it’s worth it for all the Instagram photos, reels and Tik Toks. Gotta’ do it for the “likes,” right?!

If you’re wondering if the immersive entertainment trend is fading post-pandemic, I would argue that it is, in fact, evolving. Here are two examples that back up my hypothesis…

First is SPHERE, the new event venue in Las Vegas. It will house concerts, films and other such high-priced ticketed events in its nearly 20,000 seat “bowl” inside, creating a 360 degree experience complete with haptic seats, scents and wind effects. That definitely sounds immersive to me!

SPHERE will also be projecting animated visuals on the LED screens covering its outside, making it an “immersive” experience for those who are simply passing by, whether they want one or not.

Have a look…

If you’d rather not make the trip out to Vegas but want a 360 degree experience, consider visiting The Dali in St. Petersburg, FL. The team at The Dali has partnered with the group responsible for Van Gogh Alive to create an immersive experience showcasing the work of Salvador Dali. Dali Alive 360 opens this summer (July 15th!) and is a $15 add on to the traditional museum experience.

What are your thoughts on immersive art experiences? Do you plan to visit SPHERE in Las Vegas or The Dali Dome in St. Petersburg? Share your thoughts with me in the comments section below!

For more on SPHERE, please visit the following links…

https://www.thespherevegas.com/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/05/travel/msg-sphere-las-vegas-venue-cec/index.html

For more information on The Dali Dome and the Dali Alive 360 experience, please visit the following links…

Dalí Alive 360°

https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/arts/visual-arts/2023/07/11/dali-museum-dome-alive-st-petersburg/

https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/arts-culture/2023-07-05/dali-alive-360-immersion-experience-geodesic-dome

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.