The Sixth Sense brings a sensory smorgasbord to Bengaluru

The workshops will be held in collaboration with The NODE Institute from Germany who will present TouchDesigner sessions, an initiative that will see creative coders, digital artists and experience designers from around the world, work and learn together.

According to Roshan Netalkar, founder-director of Echoes of Earth and Swordfish, “a festival of this kind brings the essence of nature in a digitised and immersive manner, with new media as a canvas.”

Exhibits and artists at The Sixth Sense
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Roshan says The Sixth Sense was born out of Echoes. “Though we would spend close to a year building Echoes, its duration was only two days, unfolding in a fast-paced setting where people were unable to spend enough time with the concept notes or installations.”

“We wanted to slow down this process of learning, and at the same time, use technology in a positive way for knowledge transfer. That is how we came up with this format to have a larger conversation with audiences.”

Roshan pointed out how almost every aspect of life today happen through a technology interface. “The phone too, has become an immersive experience with content that lures you. It has become a companion per se.”

Lalindra adds, ”Art too, has gravitated towards technology, and a lot of forward thinking with regard to technology happens through art. The festival is not only a platform that brings together artists and technologists, but is also an opportunity to build collaborations.”

The Sixth Sense will be set in Alembic City, a 60-year-old factory, where as many as 22 art installations qualified by nature, will be showcased. “Designed as a walkthrough, there is physical information, digitised, immersive experiences, sound and sonic installations, and more. Almost every concept has an artistic interpretation here. For instance, there is a collaborative work between multiple parties where data from bats has been created into an installation with lasers,” says Roshan.

Artists at The Sixth Sense
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“While the festival will be a visual delight, it will ensure an immersive learning experience in almost every aspect,” he adds.

According to Udit Amin, managing director, Alembic Global Holdings SA, the venue has been designed “as a walkable campus, which is quiet, sustainable, and the cars are out”.

“We wanted to present art as a different way of life as opposed to the mundane, humdrum existence happening all around. Digital media, light-and sound-based equipment, and other aspects of technology have been used to create different medium to showcase art.”

Udit adds, “I would advise people to utilise the metro as it stops at our gate.”

Lalindra says the festival is not about showcasing technology neither is it for a specific audience. “We are here to deliver an interesting and engaging new experience for everyone. One need not know how the system works, in order to appreciate it; The Sixth Sense can be enjoyed by all.”

He adds every participating artist has ably comprehended and depicted the theme of “nature’s intelligence” in their work. He mentions The Banyan Tree by Berlin-based Stephen Bontly is an installation that “brings together thought and tech.”

“It is a responsive piece which moves with the people in the room. The connect we feel with a tree is amplified here and what we sense is visibly experienced with this installation.”

Exhibits and artists at The Sixth Sense
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Every exhibit is different, having been created by digital, audio and visual artists, working with hardware, sensors, protocols that communicate with devices and so much more. As result, the technology used to support each installation is multifaceted.

Lalindra says every piece has an underlying story that unravels as one walks through the exhibits, and he encourages visitors to focus on taking in this “visceral experience” in its entirety, at a leisurely pace.

The workshops, sessions and masterclasses curated by The NODE Institute will cover a range of topics including experience design, data visualisation, lighting, AI, and live visual performance. The workshops which began on February 5 will continue till February 11, with TouchDesigner sessions scheduled for February 12 and 13.

The Sixth Sense is underway at Alembic City, Whitefield, Bengaluru till February 22. Schedule of events and tickets starting at ₹1499 are available at thesixthsensefestival.com