Virtual reality changes how art and technology are experienced in Taiwan
虛擬實境改變台灣藝術和科技的體驗方式
'Le Bal de Paris' transports guests to another world beyond imagination
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Surprise Lab in Taipei has partnered with global virtual reality (VR) technology platform VIVE Arts to reinvent the ways that art is experienced in Taiwan.
Founded by VIVE Arts in Europe, the virtual reality experience "Le Bal de Paris” debuted in Taiwan in December. It has transported over 6,000 guests in Taipei to an immersive party in 20th-century Paris beyond imagination.
The creators spent over four years and used over a hundred dancers and a technical team to create this 80-minute experience. Bringing the new and growing field of VR to Taiwan from scratch was not easy, according to Surprise Lab, the production team in Taipei.
Taiwan News interviewed producer Evan Wu to learn how "Le Bal de Paris” was produced in Taiwan and molded for a Taiwanese audience.
Wu said when "Le Bal de Paris” toured Europe, most participants easily danced along. However, she observed, “Taiwanese people are still relatively conservative and take more time to get into the situation, enjoy the experience, and dance.”
Therefore, Surprise Lab in Taipei added new design elements and scenes, such as a pre-experience welcome event and post-event reception, that “created a sense of immersion in the overall space.” Wu said the cocktail bar and subsequent extension of the last scene of VR are all unique stories and space designs of the Taipei tour.
Wu said, “In the final bar area, we hope to break the boundary between virtual and real, and transform the VR bar scene into a real bar, continuing the participants' sense of body and making the experience of ‘Le Bal de Paris’ more complete.”
“Of course, the two glasses of wine are also unique to Taipei. After all, everyone can relax more with a little wine, right?” Wu added.
In addition, Wu said "Le Bal de Paris” is “an infinitely connected VR show, so the wireless network environment is important. “The environmental restrictions and regulations encountered during the European and Taipei tours are different,” she said.
Surprise Lab had to consider several factors for long-term operation in Taiwan, including venue conditions, space design, physical experience design, team coordination, and marketing. They finally chose the National Taiwan Science Education Center as the venue, but had to overcome many technical problems with signal stability, which is key for a smooth VR experience.
In terms of the creative process, Wu said the evening ball and script were directed by renowned Spanish choreographer Blanca Li. “From the beginning, I've wanted the public to dance. What better way to dance together than at a big ball? Of course, I have my references of places in Paris, but all the spaces were created by my imagination, adapted to the virtual world,” Li said in a previous interview.
Guests also wear masks, as, “Becoming someone else in another world is an integral part of the experience,” Li said. “It’s a totally immersive experience, where the audience is part of the story, they become characters and take part in the narrative.”
Guests will wander among gorgeous natural scenery such as the French gardens and board a boat at sunset that takes them across the lake and mountains. This is then juxtaposed with urban scenes, like partying in a hotel mansion, enjoying a Parisian nightclub, and taking a trolley through the streets of Paris.
According to one guest, “At the party, you can forget your usual identity, hide behind a mask, and freely wander through the enchanting interplay of virtual and real—an extraordinary journey that defies past experiences and imaginations."
"Le Bal de Paris" is located at the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Taipei. It is a limited-time experience that runs until June 29. Languages available include Mandarin, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Reservations can be made at its website.
Alcohol increases the risk of over 60 diseases and health conditions.
