The Mapping Festival 2022 held in Geneva from May 19th to 29th was an incredible showcase of the talents of 47 artists from all around the world. The festival featured a wide range of immersive installations, psychedelic experiences, and groundbreaking technology that took participants on a journey unlike any other. The event was organized into two acts, Act I and Act II, each with its own unique venues and experiences.

Act I: Diverse Sensory Experiences

Act I of the festival was held at three separate venues: the Musée d’art et d’histoire, Bains des Pâquis, and L’Abri. This act focused on unique sensory experiences that allowed participants to explore the boundaries of their consciousness. Highlights of Act I included an immersive laser installation, virtual reality adventures, audiovisual rituals, and various sound performances.

The opening night of the festival featured performances at the Musée d’art et d’histoire, including an electro-botanical installation (OALCO) that connected plants, humans, and the environment, as well as HYMN, a monumental immersive work exploring the relationships between man, machine, and nature.

Act II: Immersive Projections and Techno Mutations

Act II of the festival took place at Kzern, an old military barracks turned into a creative hub. A 12-meter geodesic dome was erected at the heart of the venue, providing a space for 360° projections and immersive experiences. Five local and international artists were given the opportunity to participate in a residency program under the auspices of the Mapping Festival.

The second act of the festival featured a variety of unique performances, including immersive laser shows, quadraphonic sound performances, electronic sitar music, and monumental mappings. There were also conferences on optical and auditory illusions, which took the form of performative lectures.

Notable performances during Act II included:

  • C03BRA’s immersive laser performance with quadraphonic sound
  • jo~oj’s electronic sitar performance during the mapping of Zhi Zhi’s fresco
  • Chris Tell’s hypnotic holographic rotors synchronized with his sound creation
  • Alex Guevara’s unprecedented mapping on the Kzern control tower
  • Boodaman’s live modular performance and Bowmore’s extreme digging DJ set

Closing Thoughts

The Mapping Festival 2022 was a phenomenal event that challenged the boundaries of art, technology, and human perception. The diverse range of installations, performances, and experiences provided participants with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the depths of their consciousness and discover the limits of the possible. As a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration, the Mapping Festival 2022 will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark event in the world of visual and auditory art.