Arts Immersion Salon Yin Yang with Salon Around the World©

Yin Yang:

Just a week ago, we celebrated “Contemporary Chinese Creators” as our last Arts Immersion Salon of the Year.  “Magical”, “Stunning”, “Like Nothing Else Anywhere”, “The best one yet — and that’s saying a lot!”  were some of comments we have heard about the event. With material spanning centuries (from 500 B.C. through 2012); breathtaking young Chinese dancer, Huang Huan from Beijing and mesmerizing Chinese actor and master of Poems from the Song Dynsasty, Hsing Li Chou joining Frederic on stage for a spectacular performance.  Celebrated artists Mulang-Huang, Eric Chiang and Lin Shih Pao arrived from Taiwan to show alongside Chinese-American artists Ting Yih & Cecilia Moy Fradet.  In addition,shorts from celebrated Chinese filmmakers Nung Hsin Hu, Xiao Fei Li, Nina Kuo & Ming Liang Cai. Wafu and Arogya Tea were partners in the food and drinks.

Beechwood Arts “Salon Around the World”© is a reality!*

A generous patron stepped up the plate, providing us the opportunity to expand our Art Immersion Salons beyond the boundaries of Beechwood to the entire world. We initially tested the process with “Vibrations”, and with the help of technology experts in our circle of volunteers, we improved and expanded the scope of the project. At Yin Yang, we ran another beta test, this time much more ambitious, with 4 Satellites and audiences in each location.

All the Satellites enjoyed the music/performance in real time, through live streaming. We had multiple cameras, including the Piano Cam, giving our Satellite audiences views that even our live audience did not get to enjoy!

We also shared the artwork with Satellites, with embedded Augmented Reality through the app Aurasma. Viewers looking at the artwork (or the simple printouts of artwork that we sent to Satellites) were treated to videos and slideshows on their smartphones or tablets.

We also held a Virtual Reception, inviting our local live audience members to discuss the performance they had just seen with Satellite audience members, through iPad avatars and Facetime. We know that many emails were exchanged during these exciting long-distance conversations!

We’re very excited to be exploring ways to use technology in a way that brings people closer together, creating community across long distances.

Many thanks go to Dan Broderick of Lead Dog Productions, the Carnegie Room director Yashar Yaslowitz, as well as Orf Art Technologies for their technical support. We received help also from Sound Advisor and Aaron Macfarlane.