Adam Lisagor makes magic on the Apple Vision Pro; An on-site chat with On Site Opera
Sep 13, 2024
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In a captivating conversation, Adam Lisagor, founder of Sandwich, discusses his latest projects for the Apple Vision Pro, including immersive apps that blend technology with storytelling. He philosophizes on how media consumption is evolving in the tech age. Later, On Site Opera's leaders, Piper Gunnarson and Sarah Meyers, explore the future of their company, emphasizing their next world premiere, Lucidity, and the importance of community engagement in transforming opera for modern audiences.
Adam Lisagor discusses the evolution of multimedia storytelling through immersive technology like Apple's Vision Pro, enhancing audience engagement.
On Site Opera's approach to accessible performances in unconventional settings demonstrates the importance of community involvement and engagement in the arts.
The upcoming world premiere, exploring dementia's impact on family, signals a transformative shift towards interactive and relatable operatic experiences.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Media and Technology
The discussion highlights the transformative journey of multimedia storytelling, particularly through the lens of spatial computing and AI. Adam Lissagore, founder of Sandwich, reflects on how his work in the tech industry evolved from creating videos for apps to developing tools for immersive environments, specifically for Apple's Vision Pro. The ability to engage deeply with technology leads to a richer understanding of media, demonstrating how immersive experiences activate both curiosity and emotional responses in audiences. This evolution reflects not only technological advancements but also changes in audience engagement, where creators aim to blend physical and digital storytelling effectively.
Innovative Uses of Technology in Live Events
Lissagore discusses his recent project, which involved live streaming an event using stereo capture and spatial audio, immersing viewers in a unique multimedia experience. By utilizing 3D technology to broadcast a significant Apple event, his team managed to create a theater-like atmosphere, enhancing the viewer's connection to the narrative. The project illustrates the potential for merging technology with traditional live events to create innovative formats that appeal to a modern audience. Such immersive strategies pave the way for future developments in how live performances and tech can coexist seamlessly.
Opera's Approach to Immersive Experiences
Onsite Opera exemplifies the blending of traditional operatic performances with immersive experiences, engaging audiences in non-traditional venues like museums and community spaces. This approach aims to break down barriers related to opera, making it more accessible and relevant by bringing stories directly into the community. Their productions, such as 'Amal and the Night Visitors,' incorporate local participants, further cementing connections between art and social issues. Through site-specific performances, Onsite Opera enhances the storytelling process by leveraging the unique qualities of each location, transforming how audiences interact with opera.
Community Engagement Through Site-Specific Opera
Onsite Opera’s commitment to community engagement is evident in their productions that explore significant social themes, such as care and charity. Their work often involves local participants, enriching the narrative through authentic representation and collaboration beyond professional opera singers. For example, their adaptation of 'Amal and the Night Visitors' leverages a soup kitchen setting, aligning the performance with its themes of compassion and support. By creating operas that resonate with immediate community concerns, Onsite Opera not only entertains but also fosters a sense of collective participation and cultural dialogue.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Immersive Opera
Onsite Opera is set to premiere a world-class opera that delves into memory and music, particularly focusing on the effects of dementia on familial relationships. This production, which will embrace an immersive format by placing the audience on stage, signifies a shift toward more interactive and relatable operatic experiences. Such innovations reflect the growing trend in the arts where traditional narrative forms are being reimagined within immersive frameworks. By integrating contemporary themes, Onsite Opera positions itself at the forefront of a movement that strives to make opera relevant and engaging for diverse audiences.
First up, today is iPhone pre-order day, and that makes it a great day to drop my interview from July with Adam Lisagor, the man behind Sandwich — the firm that got its start making ads for apps and companies big and small because of the the original iPhone and has gotten BACK into the app development game for the Vision Pro with the apps Television and Theatre — with the later being used to broadcast a live event captured in 3D and Spatial Audio at this June’s Apple World Wide Developer Conference.
This conversation with Adam, whose work I have long admired, is one of the most philosophical I’ve had all year, and hopefully will give you a nice think about media and the tools we use to make and consume it.
Then, NoPro’s roving correspondent Martin Gimenez brings us an on-site interview with On Site Opera’s General Director & CEO Piper Gunnarson as its next and Artistic Director Sarah Meyers recorded at this year’s World Opera Forum and annual North American Opera Conference hosted by the LA Opera this past June. They dig into the past, present, and near future of the company, including the recently announced World Premiere of Lucidity which runs November 14-16 at Abrons Arts Center in New York City.