Cosmic Odyssey: BFI London Film Festival’s Immersive Light & Sound
The BFI London Film Festival is set to host an extraordinary immersive installation, “NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars),” by award-winning artist Andrew Schneider, as a highlight of its LFF Expanded program. This ambitious fusion of theatre and technology is defined as a cosmic odyssey, designed to transport visitors into an “ever-shifting cosmos.” Inspired by the profound experience of witnessing the Milky Way, the installation utilizes nearly 4,000 reactive LED lights and a sophisticated 496-channel soundscape to create a truly otherworldly experience. It represents a bold new form of storytelling, moving beyond traditional cinema screens to explore innovative artistic expressions.
A key benefit of “NOWISWHENWEARE (the stars)” is its capacity to encourage deep personal reflection. Audiences are invited to connect with their inner selves and contemplate their place within the vast universe, drawing parallels to the introspective qualities of works like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Rooms. Schneider, renowned as a leading figure in immersive storytelling, brings his acclaimed thought-provoking style, previously demonstrated in his Obie-winning show, YOUARENOWHERE. The installation is a central component of LFF Expanded, which BFI London Film Festival XR & Immersive Programme Lead Ulrich Schrauth describes as transforming iconic London venues into “portals of discovery,” fostering a space for audiences, artists, and industry to collectively imagine the future of storytelling through contemplative and playful experiences.
While no direct risks are mentioned, the article emphasizes the limited availability and unique nature of this European premiere. Visitors interested in experiencing this “rare chance to see Schneider’s work IRL” are encouraged to act quickly, as the installation runs for a short period at Rambert Studio from 8-19 October, with previews from 3 October. Tickets start at an accessible £10, making this ambitious work available to a broad audience, including a reduced rate of £6 for 16-25 year olds. LFF Expanded also features pioneering projects spanning immersive art, VR, gaming, and AI at other venues like BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX, broadening the scope of this innovative festival showcase.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/explore-a-spectacular-galaxy-of-light-and-sound-at-the-bfi)
