The inaugural PANORAMA festival kicked off in Randall’s Island Park in New York City in July 2016. The park is situated on the East River between Manhattan, The Bronx, and Queens – in the heart of the metropolis. Besides being a traditional festival to discover new music, PANORAMA is also a place to experience technology, art and innovation. PANORAMA is presented by Goldenvoice, the creators of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, and Fulldome.pro was there to help bring their vision to life.
“It was like being in virtual reality
…but in real life!” — Chloe (age 5)
“Lying there was the closest and most connected I have felt to a huge group of strangers in a long time, the most overwhelmed and awed I’ve been since I first saw a movie on IMAX.”
— Caitlin White, Brooklyn Magazine
The Idea
META.IS was tasked with creating an experience at PANORAMA that would be an immersive hub for festival-goers, a pop-up museum, and a playground of music and technology all at once in a single installation – THE LAB.
How It Began
As an experienced creator and provider of immersive dome environments, Fulldome.pro was approached by META.IS to bring their idea for the centerpiece of THE LAB to life.
— Illustration by Farley Katz
3D Model
The Execution
The Fulldome.pro team went to work designing a dome for META.IS to use in THE LAB. Our engineers, metal fabricators, fabric workers, and construction team all worked together to produce something truly amazing.
“The smartest thing you could do on Day 1 was get there (PANORAMA) early and start off at THE LAB.”
—Observer
The Reality
THE LAB was an interactive experience, that combined technology, art and design, presented by The Verge and powered by HP. The entire façade of THE LAB was an ever-changing artwork created with high-definition projection mapping. Inside was the exhibition, with seven interactive installations by New York artists. At the center of THE LAB was a 21 meter (69 foot) dome that operated as a fully immersive virtual reality theater. The dome featured stunning visuals and audio which included “Cotton Candy Theremin” in which a traditional cotton candy machine is transformed into a musical instrument and visualizer, filling the dome with wonderful sounds, gorgeous video and a delicious aroma.
Praise For THE LAB
“Digital Art for Jumping Into” — Wall Street Journal
“The place felt like a playground for festival goers.” — Bustle
“Even during performances by headlining music acts, the line into The Lab remained jammed.” — J. Walter Thompson Intelligence
“…the perfect spot for your festival selfie.” — Vogue
“…The Lab was a reminder that New York creatives have a strong hunger for innovation…” — New York Observer
THE LAB In The Press
Digital Art for Jumping Into — Wall Street Journal
Here’s a Sneak Peek of Panorama Festival’s Dazzling Visual Arts Hub — The Creator’s Project
Panorama’s The Lab is a high-tech art experience, with cotton candy too — Mashable
Introducing The Lab, our incredible technology and art exhibit at the Panorama festival — The Verge
The Lab at Panorama — J. Walter Thompson Intelligence
A 70-Foot VR Dome Stole The Show At Panorama NYC – Here’s The Guys That Built It — iDigital Times