A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to preview a new and very unique pop-up “experiential installation” in Long Beach called “The Art of Bloom.”
It’s a totally immersive experience that combines art and technology. It plays to all your senses- sight, sound, and even scent!
“The Art of Bloom” is a collaboration between creative agency, Intertrend, and Daigo Daikoku, with his firm Daikoku Design Institute. Daigo was inspired by observing the falling cherry tree blossoms in Japan. He explained “…people have seen flowers as vessels to project a variety of meanings and messages. At times of birth and death, flowers have been a reflection of human emotion and meditative representation of the transitory nature of life on Earth. Flowers instill both great meanings and serve as a symbol; representative of our deepest experiences and a celebration of our most important moments.”
When you enter the first room of the exhibition, there is a large fixture covered in real white flowers that are suspended over an illuminated floor. As you walk around underneath, a shower of vellum petals fall while sensors on the floor pick up on your body temperature and then lights surround and follow you. It’s a pretty magical experience!
There is a second room behind the main installation, that explores flowers through scent and several Augmented Reality stations.
Finally, there is a small gift shop in the back that has some really cute souvenirs, including t-shirts, candles, pins, and more.
Here’s a video that better showcases the whole experience.
The Art of Bloom runs through September 27, 2019 at the Edison Theater in Downtown Long Beach, CA.
Photos: Brandon Shigeta