The 21st Century is finally shaping up to be the future we imagined all those years ago — at least in some regards. When it comes to entertainment, this is certainly true, from the latest innovations in the VR, AR, and XR markets, to fully immersive art installations around the world. Some of the things all of these ventures have in common include, cutting edge technology that implements lights, sounds, smells, touch, and in very special circumstances, taste. But one indisputable fact is that all of these experiences are often mind-blowing, and it’s an exciting time for entertainment and the many ways of consuming art!
Renowned new media artist Nancy Baker Cahill last month announced her newest project and partnership with Cosm, the leading immersive technology, media and entertainment company, which is redefining the way the world experiences art and entertainment by bridging the virtual and physical worlds through “Shared Reality.”
Cosm, a leading immersive, technology, media, and entertainment company, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with award-winning new media artist Nancy Baker Cahill to release the first-ever art experience in “Shared Reality,” a new type of immersive experience driven by Cosm’s state-of-the-art visuals which seamlessly bridge the virtual and physical worlds.
Baker Cahill, known for her renowned work that pushes the boundaries of AR and immersive video, has been exhibited internationally, including Times Square and a forthcoming installation at The Whitney Museum of American Art, and will be the first artist to join the Cosm Studios creator program. Her new visual narrative piece, SEEK, a Cosm Studios Original, was created exclusively for Cosm’s new immersive entertainment venues, the first of which will open in Los Angeles in spring 2024 and showcase a 26.6-meter diameter LED dome in a 65,000 total square feet facility.
Nancy is the first artist to join the Cosm Studios creator program and her visual narrative piece, SEEK, is the first-ever piece of Shared Reality art, created exclusively for Cosm’s immersive entertainment venues. SEEK is a 30-minute immersive film dedicated to challenging sensory perception and imagination to prompt deeper engagement with the Earth’s imperiled biosphere. Using the visual and aural language of camouflage, SEEK invites viewers to actively look and listen more deeply and its interactive film odyssey explores a series of bespoke abstract landscapes: Water, Sand & Wind, Fire, and Forest, each layered with meticulously camouflaged imagery and sound.
Cosm’s slate of venue programming will include art exhibitions like Baker Cahill’s SEEK, experiential content, entertainment, and live sports, including live basketball games and pay-per-view events in immersive 8K with the company’s recently announced partners, the NBA and UFC, respectively. Bringing the world’s best fan experiences to life, Cosm’s venues will deliver an atmosphere that merges the energy of the crowd, elevated food and beverage options, specialized merchandise, and state-of-the-art visuals backed by the company’s best-in-class technology.
Cirque du Soleil & Cosm Join Forces
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Cosm also recently announced a partnership to deliver a completely new way to experience Cirque du Soleil. Under the partnership, Cosm will produce and present an iconic Cirque du Soleil show at its forthcoming venues, the first of which will open in Los Angeles in spring 2024 and showcase a 26.6-meter diameter LED dome in a 65,000 total square feet facility.
Cosm’s new generation of venues will bring entertainment to life by utilizing its revolutionary domed and compound curved LED technology, creating larger-than-life ‘’Shared Reality’’ experiences that bridge the virtual and physical worlds, all with corresponding sights and sounds. Merging the energy of the crowd, elevated food and beverage service, and state-of-the-art visuals, fans will be able to experience Cirque du Soleil’s avant-garde creativity from a brand-new perspective.
“From our research, we know our fans are seeking immersive, emotionally-fulfilling experiences featuring creative storytelling through innovative formats that ignite the imagination and foster human connection. This partnership with Cosm will allow us to, once again, push production and technology boundaries to seamlessly blend virtual and physical worlds and cultivate our connection with fans beyond the stage,’’ commented Sébastien Ouimet, Head of Filmed and Immersive Entertainment at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
This unique immersive experience supports Cirque du Soleil’s goal to diversify its offerings beyond live shows by expanding its portfolio across gaming, premium content, filmed and immersive entertainment, as well as an increased emphasis on licensing and merchandising.
“Cirque du Soleil has established itself time and time again as a category-defining entertainment genre,” added Neil Carty, VP, Head of Cosm Studios at Cosm. “Its combination of live theater, circus arts, and immersive storytelling has captivated audiences around the world. Now, we combine Cosm’s category defining technology and Shared Reality experience with Cirque du Soleil’s iconic performances to augment that sense of wonder and awe in entirely new ways, and to give fans something they’ve never experienced before.”
Cosm recently broke ground at its first venue in Los Angeles at Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, and announced its second venue in Dallas at Grandscape — where it just broke ground last week — with plans to expand to additional locations in key markets.
About Cosm
Cosm is the leading experiential media and immersive technology company redefining the way the world experiences content. With a storied history of building some of the most innovative experience technology in the world, Cosm provides sensorial experiences for every type of fan, from sports and entertainment to immersive art and education. Its immersive venues bridge the virtual and physical worlds through pioneered technology that expands the realm of what’s possible, connecting people and bringing them together in, what is called, Shared Reality. As the company continues to expand to new cities and countries, Cosm is sparking shared passions and providing guests across the globe with experiences they need to feel to believe. To learn more about Cosm, visit www.cosm.com and follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
About Nancy Baker Cahill
Nancy Baker Cahill is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist whose hybrid practice focuses on systemic power, consciousness, and the human body. She creates research-based immersive experiences, video installations, and conceptual blockchain projects rooted in the history of drawing. Her monumental augmented reality (AR) artworks extend and subvert the lineage of land art, often highlighting the climate crisis, civics, and a desire for more equitable futures. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of 4th Wall, a free, AR public art platform exploring site interventions, resistance, and inclusive creative expression. Baker Cahill is an artist scholar alumnus of the Berggruen Institute and a recipient of the Williams College Bicentennial Medal of Honor. She is a 2022 LACMA Art and Tech Grant recipient and her work was acquired for LACMA’s permanent collection. The Whitney Museum of American Art has commissioned and will acquire a new original video and AR work, launching in the fall of 2023.
