CHAMBERS OF
AWE

Artist Statement​

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When we are in ‘awe’ we naturally enter a state of mindfulness and presence with our whole body and senses. We naturally are in the 'here and now’. In Laura’s work the awe is created by ​Acoustic ​Waves ​Emergence.

 

As in alchemy and in nature, the ​emergent property​​ allows the whole to be greater than the sum of the parts, acquiring qualities that its parts do not have. In the digital era, we actually went in the other direction: as we created more compact and lighter formats (CDs, MP3s etc.), we cut off a lot of frequencies deemed ‘useless’ without realizing we were losing a lot of their inaudible, powerful impact.

 

There are frequencies our ears do not hear but that our bones, our cells, our mind perceive. On top of it, we are not being exposed as much to ancient acoustic sources of sound and instruments, which used to bring people into different states of consciousness. Those experiences were essential opportunities for healing, well-being, and transformation. After all, we are made of cells vibrating on different frequencies, which means we are ‘sound’. That is why those experiences allowed  people to amplify their senses and connect with the vast, holistic intelligence of their being and environment. These days, not only we have lost those experiences, but we live in an environment filled with disruptive frequencies and sounds. 

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Chambers of AWE brings back those lost frequencies as sources of nourishment and tools to expand our senses, our body intelligence, our awareness. A lot of those sounds are in the lower frequency range. Many apps and devices use that range to generate states of relaxation, meditation, and enhanced creativity, yet those waves are made with computers using synthesizers and oscillators, which isolate the frequency in order to reproduce it. Nothing in nature is ‘isolated’. Acoustic sources of sound therefore have a much richer spectrum and texture of frequencies and harmonics (which no synthesizer can match), reaching and touching our system in a multidimensional way.

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Lighting Concept

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The Devcon4’s decompression room installation offered a calming atmosphere where a lush instrumental soundscape was augmented by a generative lighting experience. This room allowed guests to unplug (both metaphorically and literally), sit back, relax, and take time to breathe.

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Thanks to the Aurora system by Limbic Media, Lightswitch’s lighting installation followed the music in a unique way, combining traditional lighting design artistry with the capabilities of AI.

A central LED candelabra reached from the ground, in varying lengths, towards the ceiling, where a web of LED festoons reached out across the room.

 

As Laura Inserra’s music evolved, the AI will mapped the different sounds throughout the installation creating a unique pattern every time, following her mood and sound. Her multi- instrumental approach to meditation allows for an ever evolving palette to choose from, making this a very dynamic and enchanting room.

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A lighting designer was on site to carefully select attributes for the AI to feed from, and as the day progresses the colors shifted, the patterns changed. The environment reflected the very human side of tech, and the need to relax, regenerate, and decompress from the pressures of the world.

 

Our goal is not to light a room per se but to create an environment where Laura Inserra’s music can encompass a wide range of senses, enveloping the attendees with sound and light while they catch a breath, relax, and revitalize themselves in one of the most unique meditation experiences.

Continuation of Michael Ellsberg's article about Chambers of AWE

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AWE stands for Acoustic Wave Emergence, 

a fancy term for a simple vision.

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Allow people to transport themselves, for as long or short as they want, in an overwhelmingly immersive, sensorily-stunning environment, as harmonized sounds, responsive lights, and acoustic frequencies envelop them.

 

Laura’s installation took over one of the main rooms of the Prague Congress Centre, one of the largest convention centers in Europe.

 

She and her team installed 16 concert-hall speakers and 4 subwoofers around the Centre’s Forum Hall, creating an ambisonic sphere. Once you are inside the speakers, you are inside a chamber of sound.

 

At the center of the space, with a 50-foot custom sound-responsive light sculpture hanging from the ceiling, Laura set up her array of several dozen acoustic instruments from around the world, captured by 12 mics.

 

Spiraling out from her were arrays of daybeds, where conference participants could lay back, take in the sights and sounds, and trance-port themselves into realms beyond, for moments or hours.

 

It was an all-encompassing experience for participants. (And awe-encompassing!)

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Bring Laura’s techno-artistry to your next conference or event​.

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For over a decade, Laura has created environments that highlight the deeply human side of tech, and the need to relax, regenerate, and decompress from the pressures of the world. 

 

Her goal is not to simply entertain but to create an environment where the music can encompass a wide range of senses, enveloping the attendees with sound and light while they catch a breath, relax, and revitalize themselves in one of the most unique meditation experiences.

 

Most of your conference participants are probably exploring various forms of mindfulness in order to improve their performance, reduce stress, and connect with higher sources of inspiration. A Chambers of AWE environment at your conference or event will completely transform the way participants relate to your event and to each other. 

 

Laura is available to create sound-immersive environments from simple corners to massive concert halls, and everything in between--in accordance with your needs, event size, and budget. 

 

Contact us if you are interested in 

creating a sound-immersive environment

for your next conference or event.