Tribeca Immersive 2019: "Into the Light"

At Tribeca Virtual Arcade the majority of experiences use VR. That’s why I was surprised when upon approaching Into the Light I wasn’t offered a Virtual Reality headset. Instead, I am handed noise-canceling headphones and an iPhone with Traverse app on it. Although this site-specific experience by Jessica Brillhart and Igal Nassima has a visual component, it is mostly an auditory journey through Bach’s “Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor,” performed by the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and through multiple levels of Spring Studios, the festival hub.

Into The Light at Tribeca Immersive. Photo by Asya Gorovits

Within the small group of five participants and accompanied by the guide we embark on an exploration of the soundscape, which starts from the dimmed space of the Virtual Arcade itself, winds through the monumental iron-cast staircases and ends with a breathtaking view of Tribeca from the rooftop. At each location we are supposed to scan a marker, either held by our guide or mounted on the wall, to start a new musical chapter. 

By holding the phone vertically we can enjoy the dynamic AR art by Sougwen Chung, weaved into the actual physical space. By holding the phone horizontally we can see the dot representing Yo-Yo Ma in each location. Moving towards or away from the musician allows us to experience sound as phenomena, occupying certain space, a concept so simple and yet so fresh. As I move closer to the epicenter, the music gets louder. Until finally something quite phenomenal happens. Once I line up with the cello, I can clearly hear the sound as if I am inside the instrument, enveloped by its wooden walls. But if I make a half step sideways I suddenly hear somebody else's heartbeat and it becomes evident that I am inside of Yo-Yo Ma’s head!                  

Into the Light offers a radically new way to experience music. It allows the listener to interact with it by regulating the special relationship with its source. And although the famous cellist isn’t physically there, the spatial recording provides a strong sense of his presence. Combined with abstract AR artwork, the experience opens new and exciting ways to experience the familiar. Even the movements of the members of our group became performative. Cued by the flow of the music and visuals, as well as graceful motions of our guide, we glide through space as if we are dancers, regardless of everybody’s choreographic background. What a beautiful way of collective listening! My only regret is the short length of each part and the necessary pauses between them to scan the next marker. This somewhat removes the listener from the immersion and will hopefully be addressed as Brillhart’s spatial audio design technology develops.

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Into the Light (World Premiere) – USA

Project creators: Jessica Brillhart, Igal Nassima

Key collaborator: Yo-Yo Ma

Duration: 25 minutes

(This review was published in Meniscus Magazine on June 5th)