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

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.

Interviews 

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 2: Adding depth to visuals and interaction

With audience insights in mind, the second session focused on enhancing both the visual and interactive dimensions. Layers of fabric and echoic vocal effects added richness, creating a multi-sensory experience. However, the need for clearer interaction mechanisms persisted. Despite this, the dream-like, mystical atmosphere entranced participants.

Key Learning:

• Multi-layered sensory design (light, sound, fabric) enriches the experience.
• Users crave clearer interaction mechanisms to feel more involved.

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.

The power of iteration: What we learned

Throughout its evolution, First the Air is Blue demonstrated the importance of an iterative, feedback-driven process. Each session brought new insights, allowing the team to refine every aspect of the experience—from user interaction to the emotional resonance of sound and visuals. By embracing this process, the project crafted a truly immersive journey, blending technology and art in a way that captivated audiences and pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling.

Key takeaways from the journey:

• Audience feedback is essential to refining both interaction and immersion.
• Combining traditional art forms with cutting-edge technology opens new possibilities for emotional engagement.
• The iterative process ensures that the final product isn’t just an art piece but a lived experience that resonates on a deeper level.

Looking ahead: A model for future art and immersive experiences

First the Air is Blue is more than just an art piece—it's a living, evolving experience shaped by its audience. The Visual Arena Residency provided the platform for this iterative process, demonstrating how immersion, interactivity, and storytelling can come together to create experiences that not only work, but profoundly impact audiences.

As we look toward the future, this project lays the groundwork for new explorations in immersive art and technology—continuing to inspire, provoke, and engage.

Join the journey:
Experience the fusion of art and technology with First the Air is Blue and see how the power of storytelling can reshape the way we connect with the world around us.