Microgrant Recipient: DigiHarmony’s Immersive Art Exhibition, Sound of the Cosmos —— A Time to Heal

Last December, Karlie Liu (ARAD ‘24) and Elizabeth Guo (ARAD ’24) launched DigiHarmony and hosted their inaugural immersive art exhibition, Sound of the Cosmos —— A Time to Heal, with support from the ARAD 2023 Fall Microgrant Program. Read and learn more about their experience!

Artistic experiences have a profound impact on individual healing, as they often evoke a deep connection to something far greater than oneself. This sensation echoes Freud’s concept of the ‘Oceanic’ in Freudian psychology, which represents a vast unity with the universe, culture, history, or nature. Such experiences encourage participants to acknowledge this connection, releasing attachments and fostering fresh self-perspectives. Engaging with art and cultural activities becomes a vehicle for reestablishing this bond, allowing individuals to reframe their personal challenges within a wider context, offering new stress management strategies.

Furthermore, immersing in art reflects the ‘flow state,’ as proposed by positive psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This state of deep involvement not only brings satisfaction and enjoyment but also engenders positive emotions, infusing life with meaning, hope, and fulfillment.

DigiHarmony: Sound of the Cosmos, A Time to Heal is an experimental, in-person art encounter designed to revolutionize how audiences experience the blend of music and visual art. By fusing art performances with state-of-the-art installations and healing practices, we aim to forge profound connections, guiding attendees on a self-reconnection journey.

At the heart of our event is an art performance inspired from ritual and healing practices, crafted to provide a sanctuary for relief and tranquility. This approach integrates therapeutic aspects of the arts to create a rejuvenating, immersive experience.

DigiHarmony invites attendees to a multisensory journey beyond mere entertainment, seeking to uplift the human spirit and promote holistic well-being. We proudly present artists from various disciplines, including visual and performance arts, aiming to captivate visitors by stimulating multiple senses and elevating their engagement.

Key features of this transformative experience include:

Meditative Art Performance: Opening with Orange Li’s ritual art performance, her process draws from diverse traditions like shamanism, Daoism, and Buddhism, blending these with childhood memories to create a unique meditative and healing ritual.

Experimental Art Installation: Designed by Xingwen He, the space features her captivating light installations, curated to enhance the performances. Our goal is to create an environment where visual aesthetics, art, and music interact to intensify audience engagement.

Jazz Performance: Celebrating the rich heritage of Jazz, we intertwine music with art installations to reinvent traditional performances. Zhanxu Wu and talented band members presented original Jazz music, adding a dynamic layer to the experience.

DigiHarmony’s overarching aim is to leverage the therapeutic potential of the arts, envisioning this immersive experience as a means for individuals to alleviate stress and find solace in a harmonious blend of sensory stimulation and artistic expression.