Virtual Reality Glasses in Two Large Rooms: 'Symphony' Sets Up in Benalmádena

Cristina Pinto

Discussing the emotional power of music in a popular way was the initial idea behind 'Symphony', an initiative by the 'la Caixa' Foundation that ... is set up in Benalmádena from this Thursday until July 22. Free of charge and open to the public at Puerto Marina (in front of Sea Life), visitors will be able to position themselves in the middle of a symphony orchestra in this immersive experience. Two mobile units unfold and transform into two rooms of one hundred square meters each: one features a panoramic film that introduces the viewer and the second is dedicated to experiencing virtual reality. "You will see yourself seated next to violins in a large symphony orchestra while they perform Beethoven," highlight the representatives from the 'la Caixa' Foundation.

Just this Wednesday, hours before the launch of 'Symphony' in Benalmádena, the mayor of Benalmádena, Juan Antonio Lara; the regional manager of the 'la Caixa' Foundation in Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla, Juan Carlos Barroso; the Business Area Director of CaixaBank in Western Costa del Sol, Luis Felipe Siles; and the exhibition advisor, David Puertas, presented this "virtual journey to the heart of classical music." "Having this show here is very important for us because it involves a lot of care, love, and heart," emphasized the mayor of Benalmádena.

This immersive experience lasts approximately 40 minutes divided into two parts. When the viewer puts on the glasses, they will see how, suddenly, their environment has changed: they will find themselves in the Grand Theater of the Liceu in Barcelona, sitting in a chair and the maestro Gustavo Dudamel, soul of the Gustavo Dudamel Foundation, will welcome them. Next, they will be surrounded by the musicians of a symphony orchestra, all in silence, waiting for the conductor's cue, who will energetically lead into Beethoven's music.

Entry is free (with prior registration) and until June 23 there will be guided tours for school groups and other collectives from Monday to Friday by appointment (900 801 137). For the general public, the hours are from Monday to Friday from 12 to 2 pm and from 3:30 to 9 pm; Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:30 am to 3 pm and from 4:30 to 9 pm. From June 24 to July 22, it will open to the general public from Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 11 pm; for guided tours the schedule is from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 11 am. The passes are 30 minutes and tickets can be reserved at CaixaForum.org.

"This inclusive proposal is designed to satisfy a wide variety of audiences"

Juan Carlos Barroso

Regional manager of the 'la Caixa' Foundation

One of the most valued actions of 'Symphony' in this presentation in Benalmádena is involving all types of groups to experience culture and be part of the leisure agenda in a completely equal way. "We have established a partnership with the Benalmádena City Council to involve social entities, cultural groups, and the educational community of the province. In this way, we adapt our proposals to the characteristics and needs of each place ensuring that the impact is significant and relevant. Our proposals are inclusive and are designed to satisfy a wide variety of audiences," highlighted Juan Carlos Barroso in his speech.

This itinerant project of the 'la Caixa' Foundation offers the opportunity to understand, through image and music, how, from the simplicity of a piece of wood or the roughness of a piece of metal, a universe as sophisticated and beautiful as that of a symphony orchestra is built. In this way, Symphony deconstructs the orchestra to show the simplicity, which contrasts with the infinite arc of resources available to composers to express ideas and emotions. The experience offers the user an emotionally active listening: thanks to the 360-degree camera position changes inside the orchestra, the viewer will hear and feel the music in a new and surprising way and experience the different families of instruments.

• Topics
• Virtual Reality
• Andalusia
• Benalmádena
• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Fundación la Caixa
• Caixabank
• Music