Immersive Events in 2021
As we move further into the 21st century, more and more businesses are using immersive events to engage with their customers. The world of events is always changing, and in 2021 there was no shortage of immersive entertainment. These events can take many different forms, but all share a common goal: to create an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on participants. Check out our list of the top five unforgettable immersive events and experiences of 2021!
Tokyo 2020 Olympics (2021)
Every Olympics has public events that engage citizens of all demographics in the celebration of athletic achievement, but the 2020 Tokyo games took this to a whole new level. The coronavirus pandemic banned international travel and limited attendance of up to 10,000, resulting in creative solutions to keep the viewers at home yet still able to experience the event as if they were there in person.
Although many sports fans were cheering at home, the Olympic Broadcasting services pushed the boundaries of broadcasting to deliver an immersive experience to its viewers. The games were natively produced in ultra-high definition (4K) and an immersive audio feed in 5.1, bringing 3D viewership to audiences.
The immersive experiences were brought to another level with the advancement of augmented reality (AR) systems after collaboration with companies such as Intel. Using the company’s True VR technology, Intel took viewers to unique views of various events by placing them inside a virtual scene. This allowed fans to experience the action from many angles throughout different sports. “At the Olympic Games, we are pushing boundaries by providing immersive experiences for our audiences across multiple platforms,” said Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of the Olympic Broadcasting Services. “This is quite a unique experience in the world of sports broadcasting, and we are very excited to see the outcome.”
Atlanta Dome - World's Largest Dome
Atlanta Dome 2021 “World’s Largest Projection Dome”
Sports fans could catch a number of shows and events at the World’s Largest projection dome in Atlanta, GA, built by Lumen & Forge. This year’s featured event was a live streaming event displaying the 2021 Super Bowl in 360 degrees. The 40 thousand square feet of screen space made for an exhilarating experience as guests were able to see every detail on a spherical screen that showcased NFL Super Bowl 51 live! Custom added graphics, including background graphics with interactive scoring animations while playing key highlights or replaying them so you could feel you were experiencing the event live – watching everything unfold around you in 360 degrees.
Custom seating configuration allowed for an exhilarating experience as guests could see every detail on a spherical screen that showcased NFL Super Bowl 51 live. It allowed fans to celebrate the big game in a whole new way, through immersive technology. The 65-foot tall inflatable dome structure allows for a 360-degree view of the stadium. Fans were unable to take their eyes off this immersive aspect of the dome, making it a huge hit among guests and viewers around the world.
Virtual Burning Man
If you want to create the ultimate experience for your guests, consider pairing a 360 event dome with 360 visuals. A 360 event dome offers a totally unique visual experience that immerses guests in any atmosphere you can think of. Perfectly designed for projection mapping, the domed surface allows images to be projected at incredible angles, giving the effect of being engulfed in an expansive landscape. It’s comparable to that of VR for an entire audience.
Whether you’re trying to create a galactic space scene or share a VR world with multiple friends, a 360 event dome allows you to turn your event into something truly special and unexpected. Create interactive games, immersive live performances, or simply move people with awe-inspiring visuals – the possibilities are endless.
Immersive Van Goh
Imagine Van Gogh is an event showcasing works of art by Vincent van Gogh with immersive technology. The event has become a worldwide spectacular, 130 years after Van Gogh’s death. The artworks were selected exclusively from the artist’s last two years of his life 1898-1890. A total of 200 paintings were used in the exhibit. The imagery, positioning and rhythm associated with each painting was composed by Annabelle Mauger and developed with Julie Baron, a collaboration with Art Historian Androula Michael. The exhibition brought a multi-sensory celebration of Van Gogh, bringing a deeper appreciation to the beloved artist’s work. The immersive event has toured the world, breaking new critical grounds.
The immersive event included 7 major components: Virtual Reality Experience – painting yourself into a van Gogh painting; A Virtual 360 tour of van Gogh’s paintings in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise – the very places where Van Gogh painted these masterpieces; Interactive Educational Experience – a personalized educational experience that empowers you to learn about Van Gogh’s life and work, with the ability to create your own artwork at the end of it; Live Music Concert – listening via headphones to 15 musical numbers which include: Vincent’s classics such as “Starry Night over Rhone,” along with some lesser-known works of his also performed by a live musician.
The exhibition has been reviewed by international art critics from around the world, who have given rave reviews including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe, the London Times and many more.
Area 15
Although Area 15 opened in September 2020, it continues to WOW guests and visitors with regular new installations. The immersive venue offers thrill-seekers a variety of experiences that use cutting-edge technology to combine art, programming and experiential design. Guests are invited to discover Area 15 where they will encounter various galleries, themed restaurants and bars and a unique array of art installations dotted throughout the venue. Using lights, colors, stunning visual effects, 3d projection mapping and other methods, guests to Area 15 are completely surrounded by sound effects and visuals making them feel they are actually on the alien home planet with its barren landscapes covered in mosses, vines, and various plants.
Area 15 is the ultimate immersive experience, and guests can expect to be catapulted into a different world where nothing seems normal. With various visuals, installations and unique themes throughout the venue, Area 15 fully engulfs visitors into its epic story. From the moment you walk in, captivating art and digitally created visuals will take you away from the every day world as you discover a fantastical alternate reality.
Immersive events take many forms and can range from experiential marketing activations to large-scale events. These occasions create an experience that is unforgettable, but all share a common goal of leaving the participant with a lasting impression. This type of event will continue to transform how we deliver our experiences as consumers become more accustomed to these new types of engagements. Have you taken part in an immersive event recently? If so, what was your favorite aspect? Let us know! We would love to hear about it!
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