Issue No. 36: Hues, Hopes, and Hidden Histories: The Weekly Wondrous World

Issue No. 36 - Welcome back, dear reader, to Issue No. 36 of The Experientialist where we’re celebrating this auspicious number, a figure steeped in ancient wisdom and cosmic significance. You see, 36 isn’t just any ol' number—it’s a portal to the stars. In the mystical realm of ancient Egyptian and Babylonian astrology, 36 Decans ruled the heavens, each one a celestial guardian watching over humanity. Now, we don’t know of any scientific basis in ancient astrology. But who are we to argue with people who spent their days staring at the sky and coming up with increasingly elaborate explanations for why their crops failed?

Let's explore the cosmic coincidence of 36 and see how it weaves its way through the tapestry of Design, Technology, Commerce, and Culture.

36 is the unsung hero of Design. From the bold 36-point font sizes that demand your attention to the precise 36-inch measurements (in the Imperial system, we call this a "yard") that make everything from a skyscraper to a room feel just right, 36 is the unsung hero of the design world. This unassuming digit is the backbone of countless designs, from the fabric bolts that your fit your steez to the font sizing and spacing that makes your Insta flex. It's the secret sauce that makes our world look so aesthetically pleasing. So next time you’re admiring a beautiful design, give a silent thank you to the number 36.

Still don't think much of the number 36? Well, it holds the key to unlocking extraordinary Technological experiences. Add a zero, and it's everywhere! From robots that can twist and turn like contortionists, to the immersive 360-degree experiences of virtual reality, and the precise 360-degree rotations of 3D models, the number 36 is the secret ingredient that transforms the digital realm into a tangible, interactive experience.

The number 36 is a behind-the-scenes workhorse in Commerce. From the moment a product is packaged in a 36-inch box and loaded onto a 36-pallet truck, to the moment you finance it with a 36-month loan, this number plays a crucial role in the global supply chain. Without the number 36, who would we be to hoard endless possessions, filling our homes with unnecessary clutter and our lives with needless consumption?

Culturally, 36 is not just a number, but a license to scheme. The Thirty-Six Stratagems, a Chinese text on military strategy, is basically a playbook for world domination, disguised as a self-help book. These 36 sneaky tactics, from feigning insanity to borrowing a corpse, have been used by everyone from Sun Tzu to your ex-boyfriend. So, the next time you're in a tricky situation, remember the wisdom of the ancient Chinese and outsmart your opponents with a little bit of strategic trickery.

So, there you have it. The number 36, a cosmic constant, a universal truth. It's the foundation of Design, the engine of Technology, the lifeblood of Commerce, and the soul of Culture. Now go forth and spread the word about the power of this extraordinary number. But before you do, let's take a look at what Issue No. 36 has in store.

This issue of The Experientialist kicks off with a wild trip to an elite secret society where, tequila, temazcals, and transcendence meet for an eco-conscious bacchanal. We then take you to Olafur Eliasson's latest urban hallucination that redefines what it means to "get lost in the city," followed by a neon-soaked Lite-Brite playground that reminds us of a simpler time entirely lacking in adult supervision. From there, in a twist on tradition, we’ll whisk you away to the Giza Pyramids, where 4,500 years of Egyptian history are now the backdrop for laser projections as timeless as... well, choose your favorite EDM festival. Toss in AI dancers who pirouette like machines (because they are) and the long-anticipated arrival of a Martian DIY housing market, where building materials are literally dirt cheap, but the commute is astronomical. If your mind isn’t maxed out yet, we'll stop by a blazing desert art scene, roam about a "wanderplay" where the ordinary is delightfully upended, take a detour through a room of empathetic interiors that proves even furniture can understand you better than most people, and finish up at a working-class residence, stuffed with taxidermy and enough plastic mistletoe to make your own living room feel suspiciously bland.

So off we are, here were go, let's dig in...

A Gilded Getaway

Lulu L., the self-proclaimed sorceress of soirée supremacy, has conjured up a secret society of the super-rich and spiritually inclined. Her brainchild, ONDALINDA, is a hedonistic haven where the elite gather to indulge in a bizarre blend of backwoods shamanism and high-society excess. Imagine Burning Man, but with private jets, private islands, and a whole lot more privilege. Galerie (9 minutes)

Eliasson's Haunting Hallucinations

Olafur Eliasson, the high priest of hazy hallucinations, has conjured a cosmic cacophony of color and confusion. His latest work, "Lifeworld," is a psychedelic spectacle that transforms bustling cityscapes into ethereal dreamscapes. Either this mind-bending masterpiece invites viewers to lose themselves in a fog of ambiguity, challenging our perception of reality and leaving us questioning our own existence... or by reducing art to a series of soft, indistinct shapes, Eliasson has proven that even the most talented artists can produce truly terrible work. We suspect we'll never really know, and that's the beauty of art, or the curse. Hyperbeast (4 minutes)

A Tiny Taste of Global Cuisine

Get ready for a culinary adventure like no other! Le Petit Chef, the world's tiniest, most talented chef, is coming to Changi Airport. Perfect for those who love their food served with a side of theatrics, the pint-sized prodigy will whisk you away on a global gastronomic journey, serving up delicious dishes from around the world.?It's the perfect dining experience for people who love tiny things, or people who are easily amazed by technology.

Bee the Change

The Hammer Museum’s latest exhibit dares you to rethink climate change and social justice through 100 pieces of art, as well as an actual bee sculpture that might just guilt you into composting. This exhibit spans generations and presents 100 works from 20 creators, including Lan Tuazon’s plastic recycling station, a green oasis from South L.A.’s self-described “gangsta gardener” Ron Finley (who we had the great pleasure to collaborate with at GOOD Worldwide Inc), and a literal hive of activity around?Garnett Puett’s?Untitled (Paradoxical Garden Downstream), a trio of wax figures buzzing with honeybees (they’re behind glass and?a few curtains but you may still find some nearby wild bees attracted to it).? Guest curated by our notoriously talented friend, Glenn Kaino, and Mika Yoshitake, and carefully crafted to poke at your eco-consciousness, the show stirs up questions like, “What would Greta do?” and “Why aren’t we all beekeepers by now?” If art can save the planet, the Hammer Museum might have just found the sting.

Scoops up, peeps! "Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice" is presented as part of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s region-wide initiative "PST ART:?Art and Science Collide" and exhibits at the Hammer Museum from September 14, 2024-January 5, 2025. Tickets are free.

A Surreal Estate Agent's Worst Nightmare

Ever wondered what happens when a whimsical artist gets his hands on a working-class home? Mark Dion, a man who apparently doesn't smoke but carries cigarettes "just in case," has the answer—Mrs. Christopher's House: a whimsical (and slightly unsettling) journey through time, stuffed animals, and questionable interior design choices. It's a must-see for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life, like plastic mistletoe and dead bugs in Jell-O. This interactive art installation—part history lesson, part psychological thriller, and a commentary on consumerism all rolled into one... confusing... experience—will leave you questioning everything, from your childhood memories to the future of polar bears. artnet (8 minutes)

Scoops up, peeps! Mrs. Christopher's House is located in Troy Hill, Pittsburgh. It's a permanent installation, so you can visit it year-round.

Pious Projections

Paris' Saint-Sulpice has been elevated to a higher plane of existence, thanks to "Paris, Coeur de Lumières," an otherworldly light show. It's a religious experience like no other, where the line between the sacred and the secular is desecrated, and the original sin is missing out. ?So prepare to be baptized in a sea of pixels and awestruck by the power of projection mapping, all part of a divine intervention that will leave you feeling blessed... or bewildered. The Hours (3 minutes)

Scoops up, peeps! "Paris, Coeur de Lumières" runs through November 23rd, 2024.?Ticket prices varied, but generally ranged from €29 to €69.

A Real-Life Glitch in the Matrix

Prepare to have your mind blown, your heart broken, and your patience tested. Great Gold Bird is a mind-bending, time-traveling, reality-bending adventure that's so meta, it'll make your eyes cross and your mind melt. Part immersive theater, part escape room, you'll be transported to different dimensions, encounter strange and wonderful creatures, and maybe even discover the meaning of life. Created by Twin Alchemy Collective in association with Hatch Escapes and Jeff Leinenveber and team at Scout Expedition Co. , this "wanderplay" will have you running around Los Angeles, solving puzzles, and unraveling a mystery that's more convoluted than a teenager's explanation of why they're late. And while it may be tempting to spend most of your time staring at a screen, trying to figure out a cryptic clue, remember that the Great Gold Bird is less about pixelated graphics and more about real-world consequences.?Just hope you don't end up lost in a forgotten alleyway, forever haunted by the ghost of Henry Combs.

Scoops up, peeps! Great Gold Bird runs from November 9-December 29, 2024. akes approximately 2.5 hours to complete, not including drive time. Before your reservation time (the time of the ticket you purchase), there is an online portion that will take, on average, 40 minutes to complete.? The reservation location is in the Arlington Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles?(exact address revealed in the online portion). To access the online portion,, you will receive an email from Emily Combs. Tickets start at $120. Get tix!

When the Pyramids Went Pop

Forget Egypt’s 4,500-year history—today, it’s all about laser beams, digital mosaics, and judgmental AI's remarking on our life choices, all splashed across the Giza Pyramids like history’s wildest karaoke machine. ?The fourth edition of Forever Is Now has transformed the iconic Giza Pyramids into a modern art museum, merging ancient history with contemporary creativity.?We reported on this last issue, but with more remarkable images of these dazzling artworks flooding in, we had to revisit the scene. As curator Nadine Abdel Ghaffar says, it’s an invitation to rethink the timeless sands of Giza—now upgraded with a bit more shimmer and surrealism. So pack your sunscreen and sense of awe—because it’s not every day you get to see the Sphinx become a glorified selfie spot. designboom (7 minutes)

Scoops up, peeps! The fourth edition of "Forever Is Now" is taking place at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt from October 24 to November 16, 2024. Visitors can access the exhibition with the standard Pyramids entry ticket, making the art installations free to the public.

The Future is Foxtrot

AI is taking over the dance floor, and it's not here to make friends. From motion-capture nightmares to algorithm-generated choreography, the future of dance is looking increasingly robotic. It's a future of AE Company (AΦE)'s AI-powered dancer named Lilith, a digital diva who can perform feats beyond human capability, and Alexander Whitley's vision of a VR ballet where your own movements trigger surreal choreography. This isn't just about fancy footwork – it's about the one-two-three count being replaced by ones and zeroes.? So, next time you're twirling around the living room, remember: your every move could be data-mined and used to train the next generation of dancing machines. The Guardian (6 minutes)

Neon Nostalgia

Who says you can’t go home again? Secret Location's Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder takes us straight back to the days when light-up pegs were the ultimate achievement, tossing “responsibility” out the window, and pulling us into a neon labyrinth where creativity reigns and childlike joy glows.?The experience marries the digital with the tactile, the joyfully simple with the responsively intricate, offering an adventure that’s equal parts hashtag#empathy and hashtag#agency (which, frankly, are all the rage these days so far as The Experientialists is concerned). ?A massive thank you to Ryan Andal for making it all possible (and the private tour on opening night!), and to Victoria Lane (too darn busy to be pictured... opening night) for overseeing each detail down to the last peg. And a special shoutout to Mark Laisure, who wandered in and made everything just a little briter – no spell check needed for that one.

Scoops up, peeps! LITE-BRITE: Worlds of Wonder?will be open from November 7th. Tickets are officially on sale and can be found here.

Terraforming on a Budget

Scientists have found the ultimate DIY project—Mars. They plan to use 3D printing to craft sustainable housing from Martian dirt, a vision that may soon allow robots to build whole neighborhoods in space before humans even arrive. With regolith bricks, NASA-approved bricklaying drones, and AI-powered floorplans, the future of real estate is looking red—just don’t expect an HOA to cover Martian radiation. Parametric Architecture (8 minutes)

The Art of Pretend

Ruth Read, our intrepid correspondent at Blooloop, infiltrated London’s Immersive Experience Network Summit 2024, where “collaborative networking” looks suspiciously like industry speed-dating with a side of holograms. This year, The Walt Disney Company’s Sara Thacher left no stone un-magic’d, sharing trade secrets about subverting reality so hard you actually believe your role in a galaxy far, far away. Meanwhile, top creators and producers discussed their brave quest to make immersive entertainment as addicting as it is unpredictable—including war stories about the pitfalls of partnership and the inevitable brand collaboration that follows—proof that magic is best served with a side of sponsorship.

Presenters included: SWAMP’s Ollie Jones, Les Enfants Terribles’?James Seager, Boomtown's Megan Clifton, Entourage's Andy Barnes, award-winning puzzle game designer?Mairi Nolan, and Little Lion Entertainment's Tom Lionetti-Maguire. Blooloop (4 minutes)

Design that Listens

In the world of Pallavi Dean, every design starts with a listening session—and a psychologist. Her Dubai studio, Roar, has turned user-centered design into a mission, combining local artistry with playful elements to create interiors that speak to clients’ unique needs and cultural heritage. From Middle Eastern-inspired patterns to quirky, playful accents, Dean’s spaces blend empathy and artistry to make each room feel like it’s listening back, proving that spaces with heart and heritage are here to stay and showing that that listening is the new luxury. .wonder (6 minutes)

Where Lights Dance and Deserts Speak

Welcome to the future, where the sand isn’t just hot—it’s highbrow. Abu Dhabi, once known for its oil and skyscrapers, is now emerging as a surprising hub for experiential art. Here culture meets creativity under the blazing sun. From coral-inspired sculptures to hypnotic light shows, these works prove the desert has more to offer than endless heat and luxury malls. Each installation lets visitors experience art in ways that might just make them rethink the meaning of a cultural oasis—complete with a side of surrealism. Just be warned: if you come for the art, you might stay for the heatstroke-induced enlightenment. Journee Mondiale (8 minutes)

Lost in the Canvas

So, apparently, we're all now living inside a giant, trippy kaleidoscope. Who knew that the future of art would be so... lit? From Van Gogh's acid trip to teamLab's digital wonderland, it seems like everyone's trying to out-weird each other. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want to be a tiny speck in a giant, swirling masterpiece? Grazia (5 minutes)

The Goblin King's Symphony

Get ready to rock out with your goblin out! "Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert" is bringing the magic of Bowie and the mayhem of the Goblin King to the stage. Part rock concert, part puppet show, and part acid trip, it promises to be a mind-bending, ear-worm-inducing, eye-popping, over-the-top spectacle that'll have you dancing through a labyrinth of nostalgia. Big shout out to the ever-vigilant? Skye V. for saving us from a life of blissful ignorance.

Scoops up, peeps! ?The 30-city North American tour launches September 24, 2024 – Jim Henson’s birthday. Check here for a city near you.

Technicolor Twilights

This past weekend at Vancouver’s Lumiere Festival, artists from around the world joined forces to light up the city like a neon-fueled fever—without the fever. From holographic projections to a man-made aurora borealis, and a citywide commitment to brightness, it’s was an LED paradise that makes you wonder if the sun has some serious competition. Consistent with years past, the Lumiere Festival is immersive, it’s interactive, and it’s guaranteed to give your retinas a workout. Xinhua (2 minutes)

A Splash of Insanity

The internet is officially baffled. A seemingly ordinary water slide at Miramar Erlebnisbad located in Weinheim, Germany has sparked a global debate, pitting thrill-seekers against the faint of heart. Is it a thrilling adventure or a claustrophobic nightmare? The world may never know. But one thing's for sure: these water slides are so dizzying and dazzling they're like a rollercoaster ride designed by a drunk octopus and a snake on a sugar rush.

Breaking News

Exciting news from The Experientialists! In what he describes as "a quirk of destiny" (though the expert consensus is leaning cosmic slip-up), our very own Lou Pizante has made it onto the #Blooloop50 Immersive Influencer list. Yes, Lou, who usually comes to these masterminds for advice and insights, has somehow found himself listed alongside the creatives, tech experts, and experience innovators shaping the future of immersive attractions.

Was this an intentional choice by Blooloop or a bold experiment? Maybe they just wanted someone who could ask the tough questions—like, “Is this mic on?” Either way, a huge thanks to Blooloop (the field guide for everything experiential) and the panel of judges—Ryan Atwood, Dorothy Di Stefano, Michaela A. Ternasky-Holland, Ben Thompson, Darcy Troy-Pollack, and Marc Zachary—for recognizing Lou's… unique flair. We’re excited to see how he keeps up with the other 49.

A special shoutout to friends and co-conspirators who also made the list: Ferdi Al?c?, Ryan Andal, Sakchin B., Joanna Bucknall, Winston Fisher, Jasmin Jodry, Tom Lionetti-Maguire, Yoshi Maruyama, Charles Melcher, Nick Moran, Patrick O'Mahony, Matt Proulx, Gianmaria Serra, Val Syganevich,and Randy Weiner.

Read about all the 2024 Blooloop 50 Influencers across all categories!

On the Horizon

Counting down to IAAPA Expo 2024 (November 19-22), the one place where waterslides and professional networking all collide in a flurry of safety harnesses and wild ideas. It is the only business event where brainstorming "innovations" is just as likely to mean discussing the science of churro stands as it is high-speed coasters and an 80-foot drop counts as a "casual conversation starter." We’ll be there, scouting for the next big thrill ride – and possibly finding a new appreciation for high-speed inertia. Who else is going to dive into the wonders of entertainment engineering? Drop us a note at [email protected].

PST Art: Art & Science Collide?initiative will take place at over 70 cultural institutions and four dozen galleries across Southern California from September 15, 2024 - February 16, 2025. Find out more.

Calling all tech junkies and futurists! CES 2025 (Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2025) is just around the corner, and it promises to be a mind-blowing showcase of the latest and greatest innovations. Think robots that make your breakfast, TVs that roll up like a newspaper, and self-driving cars that (hopefully) know what they're doing. It's a sensory overload of the best kind, where you can peek into the future of technology and see what tomorrow holds. We'll be there, dodging flying drones and marveling at the sheer audacity of human ingenuity. Are you ready to be wowed?

The Next Stage Immersive Summit returns January 17-19, 2025. Presented by the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, CA, this will be the LARGEST GATHERING of immersive creators, producers, technologists, academics, and enthusiasts yet.

Sundance Film Festival (January 23 - February 2, 2025 in Park City, Utah) is the ultimate playground for cinephiles, where indie darlings and future cult classics are born. Imagine a week-long movie marathon in the snowy mountains of Utah, filled with mind-bending dramas, heartwarming comedies, and documentaries that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the world. It's a place where you can discover the next big thing, laugh, cry, and maybe even have a spiritual awakening.

Design Indaba (February 27 - March 1, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a wild ride through the creative jungle. It's a place where designers, artists, and thinkers from around the globe gather to share their wildest dreams and most innovative ideas. It's a melting pot of creativity, where you'll find everything from mind-bending installations to cutting-edge fashion. So, if you're ready to be inspired, amazed, and completely overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of human creativity, then Design Indaba is the place to be.

Get ready to dive headfirst into the weird and wonderful world of SXSW 2025 (Austin, Texa, March 7-15, 2025)! This annual tech, film, and music extravaganza is a melting pot of creativity, innovation, and pure unadulterated fun. From mind-bending panels and immersive experiences to live music performances thatll make your ears ring, SXSW has it all. Whether youre a techie, a film buff, or a music lover, theres something for everyone. So grab your cowboy boots, your VR headset, and your sense of adventure, and get ready to experience the future of culture.

The World Experience Summit, the flagship event from the WXO - World Experience Organization, is set for April 29 to May 1, 2025, at London’s Immerse LDN. Join top creators, designers, and experience-makers for three days of hands-on workshops, collaborations, and ideas that are redefining the future of immersive experiences.

OFFF Barcelona (May 8-10, 2025) is a wild ride through the world of design and creativity. It's a place where designers, artists, and digital luminaries gather to celebrate the weird, the wonderful, and the downright bizarre. Expect mind-bending workshops, inspiring talks, and late-night parties that will keep you dancing until dawn.

C2 Montréal (May 20-22, 2025 in Montréal, Canada) is not your average conference. It's a mind-bending, creativity-sparking, future-shaping extravaganza where tech geeks, design wizards, and business moguls gather to share ideas, network, and maybe even change the world. Picture a cross between a think tank, a rave, and a TED Talk, but with way more caffeine and less sleep. Whether you're looking to be inspired, challenged, or simply entertained, C2 Montréal is the place to be.

Dive headfirst into the digital abyss at Tribeca Film Festival's Immersive Track (June 4-15, 2025 in New York)! Strap on your VR headset and prepare to be transported to otherworldly realms, where dinosaurs roam the streets of New York and aliens hold tea parties. Or, if you prefer a more grounded experience, you can explore interactive installations that will make you question the nature of reality itself. It's a sensory overload of the best kind, where the lines between the real and the virtual blur.

Ars Electronica Festival (September 3rd to 7th, 2025 in Linz, Austria) is not just a festival–it's a mind-bending, reality-warping experience. Picture a place where robots have art shows, AI writes poetry, and virtual reality is so immersive you might forget to breathe. It's like a futuristic carnival, but instead of cotton candy and Ferris wheels, you'll find mind-bending installations, experimental music, and cutting-edge technology that will make your brain short-circuit.

Let's Dive Deeper Together

Hey there, we are Lou Pizante and Maria S Redin, co-founders of The Experientialists and the curious minds behind our mothership newsletter: "The Experientialist." This newsletter is our playground, a place where art, technology, commerce and culture dance together. But it's not just about what we have to say – it's about sparking conversations, learning from each other, and growing our collective knowledge.

We are always on the lookout for fascinating new experiences, innovative ideas, and intriguing perspectives. If you've got a story, a project, or a brainwave that you're itching to share, or if you're just keen to chat about the latest in immersive art/entertainment or groundbreaking tech, we're all ears.

Why not reach out? Let's connect and explore these fascinating intersections together. Drop us a message at [email protected] and let's see where our conversation takes us. And please follow us on LinkedIn. We are looking forward to hearing from you!