First the Air is Blue: immersive technology, music and visual storytelling - Cloned

As part of the Visual Arena Residency for Innovators in Art, Alicia Lazaro Arteaga and Akshay Sarode embarked on a exploration of immersive technology, music, and visual storytelling. Through four dynamic sessions, the project, called First the Air is Blue, invited audiences to engage with an evolving sensory-driven experience, where real-time feedback shaped each iteration.

A new approach to art: Evolving through transparent audience feedback loops

Over the course of the residency, First the Air is Blue transformed into a deeply meditative, emotionally resonant experience. By blending interactive elements with immersive visuals and sound, each session offered something new—building a bridge between art and audience, technology and emotion. Here's how each phase of development unfolded:

Session 1: Immersion and emotional connection

In its first session, First the Air is Blue introduced audiences to a calm, meditative environment where sound, visuals, and light seamlessly interacted. The goal? To evoke emotional engagement and immerse participants in a calming sensory experience. Feedback praised the project’s emotional depth but highlighted areas for growth, particularly in making interactions clearer and more engaging.

Key Learning:

• Emotional immersion is vital, but interaction clarity needs refinement.

Session 3: Refining user engagement

As the project progressed, attention shifted towards refining how users interacted with the environment. Feedback suggested that while the audiovisuals were stunning, many participants still felt disconnected from the interactive elements. A balance needed to be struck between passive immersion and active engagement.

Key Learning:

• Intuitive interaction design fosters deeper engagement.
• Audiences value the calming, emotionally rich atmosphere.

Session 4: Culmination of art and technology

The final session brought together all elements—sound, visuals, and movement—into a cohesive and transformative experience. Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with a rating of 7.9 out of 10, applauding the use of space, movement, and otherworldly vocal performances. Some final adjustments were suggested for narrative context and seating comfort.

Key Learning:

• The final artistic synthesis delivered emotional impact, with room for narrative clarity.