Beautiful Journey, an immersive art exhibit, will be arriving at the Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences (MSME) Community Gallery in February, the County of Santa Barbara Arts Fund has announced.
A free public opening on Feb. 22 will feature a reception and artist talk at MSME in Santa Barbara’s La Cumbre Plaza.
The installation combines cutting-edge virtual reality, artistic expression, and explorations in consciousness and psychology, offering visitors an introspective experience to reflect on their lives and envision the possibilities ahead, according to the Arts Fund.
Beautiful Journey takes patrons on a voyage through life’s stages, from birth to a peaceful near-death experience and back again. Viewers will soar over majestic mountains, relive precious childhood moments, and be immersed in stunning natural environments.
The exhibit is produced by a team of creatives from backgrounds in music, filmmaking and psychology, representing work in the convergence of art, technology and psychology.
Producer Peter Brill, whose work fosters positive change through creative collaboration, emerging technologies, and social good, has guided this innovative project to fruition.
Beautiful Journey has been lauded as “simultaneously a stunning work of art and a thoughtful invitation to consider the life one has lived and what the future may hold” by Jonathan Schooler, distinguished professor of psychological and brain sciences at UC Santa Barbara.
“The message and feelings of connection that come out of the VR experience are universal, uplifting, and orient the participant towards others, to bettering the world,” said James Glisson, chief curator of contemporary art at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
Before the official opening of Beautiful Journey, art enthusiasts and supporters are invited to a private fundraiser on Feb. 15. Guided by Brill, participants will experience a reflective session exploring the inspiration, motivations, and creative process behind the work.
To reserve a spot, contact Mackenzie Taylor, mackenzie@artsfundsb.org.
Learn more about Beautiful Journey at https://beautifuljourneyvr.com/.
The Arts Fund’s mission is to create, support, and administer programs that foster the arts for the people of Santa Barbara County. By supporting and promoting local artists, Arts Fund provides opportunities for emerging and seasoned creators to showcase their work.
For more, visit artsfundsb.org.