Marking the first of ARTECHOUSE’s annual immersive installations honoring the natural and cultural phenomenon of the cherry blossoms, Sakura Yume celebrated the ephemeral beauty of the season by inviting visitors into a multisensory springtime experience.
Through the largest interactive wall display in the world, visitors explored a moonlit floating environment where larger than life koi fish and colorful cherry blossom petals reacted to their presence. Additional installations allowed visitors to feed fish at a 3D koi pond sculpture, stroll down a modern take on a lantern-lit Japanese alleyway, discover springtime designs through their movements and enjoy an immersive dining experience. The result was an atmosphere that was at once calming yet playful.
The installation was a collaborative effort between several artist groups and started our ongoing partnership with the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Sakura Yume – Main Gallery
Meaning Cherry Blossom Dream, this larger-than-life interactive installation by Noirflux featured floating cherry blossom petals, koi fish and Japanese calligraphy characters that mean sakura, or cherry blossom. It was the largest interactive wall installation in the world. The installation featured Japanese calligraphy artwork by Aoi Yamaguchi & original music by Corey Fuller.
Koi Pie – Gallery One
Koi fish are highly valued and a respected symbol in Japanese culture, their ponds are serene places that invite meditation and admiration of their beauty. As visitors held their hand over the small scale digital version of a long standing tradition, the environment transformed before their eyes. Healing sounds of the Japanese flute by Debrina.
Lantern Alley – Gallery Two
Inspired by narrow izakaya side alleys of Tokyo, where in the spring the constant rain creates puddles on the streets that reflect the light from the lanterns and shops, the presence and movement of visitors brought light to this alley installation, both above their heads and below their feet on the digitally cobbled street.
Bloom – Media Lab
Interwoven visuals and sounds created a true celebration of art, technology and springtime. Mapped projections that were interactive transform the chabudai tables and invite the visitors to be playful. Inspired by spring as well as traditional Japanese arts, Storylab presented two interactive elements punctuated by animated visuals that brought movement and color to the tables. On select days, visitors could enjoy an additional food experience.
Sakaba – Augmented Reality Bar
