Siena Theivagt’s Mesmerize Reflection
I recently visited an immersive experience created by a collective: Mesmerize’s Living Dream. Since I went with the intent of writing a blog, I came ready to investigate every nook of the 2,200 sq. foot space and immerse myself fully into the experience. I tried to place myself into the storyworld by imagining I was a dream traveler caught in this alternative dimension. After interacting with each exhibit, I found a quiet place to sit behind the magical mushroom to write and reflect. By the time I emerged from the dreamworld, the blog was almost entirely written!
Upon walking into Living Dream, I first noticed the bed that symbolized the origin of all dreams. There was a couple taking photos in the walk-through window next to the bed. They looked like they were taking pictures for social media and enjoying themselves thoroughly. I also immediately noticed a large crystal (the mystical element that blurs the lines between reality and dreams) and clipboards on the walls filled with poetry to ponder. It struck me that the space could accommodate people on different missions. Whether trying to entertain a child, take photos for IG, or immerse yourself deep into the dream world, there was an activity for everyone.
One of my favorite aspects of Living Dream was the open-ended poetry that focused more on prompting questions than providing definite answers. The poetry provided a sense of the infinite, similar to some intentional design features. For example, in one enclosed space shaped like a hexagon, the clever placement of mirrors created numerous reflections of the harvest moon. It reminded me that immersive designers need to always consider how to maximize space and give the illusion of infinity. Another favorite aspect was the Wall of Dreams, a place where guests are invited to write their own dreams into small journals affixed to the wall. This interaction allowed me to leave a piece of myself and feel a part of the dreamworld.
I later learned in an interview with Clay Lillard, co-founder of Living Dream, that 11 artists worked directly on the installation pieces, 13 supporting artists contributed to various specific elements of the space, and 12 musicians contributed original pieces for the soundtrack. That’s a lot of people to coordinate! Now that I have worked on group projects for TXI, I know how much coordination and communication it takes to create a cohesive, creative, and well-planned immersive experience. I would be interested to learn more about how they all worked together to maintain a singular focus and vision.
