Free
Centre
Chromatic Myriad
August 15 → July 31
The PHI Centre showcases a light installation with evolving content, adapting to the seasons and exhibitions
PHI Centre
Spaces B + C
315 Saint-Paul St West
Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2M3
Duration of the visit: 15 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket
Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm
*Last show is at 6:40 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
*Last show is at 8:40 pm
Closed on Mondays
13 years old +
General Admission: $15 - $24.75
Student (13+)*: $12 - $19.75
65+: $13 - $21.75
Groups (10 people and +)**: $12.75
School Groups**: $12
Price excluding taxes
*The experience is restricted to an audience that is 13 years and older
**Group reservations at [email protected]
All visitors will be required to present their valid vaccination passport + 1 piece of ID upon arrival in the building. The vaccination passport is required to enjoy the facilities.
For more details on safety measures in place at the PHI Centre, visit our COVID-19 page.
Follow the path of your own breath in an immersive multi-sensory installation that will reveal the invisible connections between you and the forest - 15 minutes of pure meditation.
We Live in an Ocean of Air is a multi-sensory immersive installation that illuminates the invisible—but fundamental—connection that ties animals and plants, the human and natural worlds, into a wondrous rhythm that underpins life on Earth.
Standing in the liminal space between art, science and technology, it blurs the boundaries of installation, live performance and virtual reality, enchanting the everyday world by revealing the natural forces that exist around us. It offers an alternative platform to address the challenges facing our planet in the twenty-first century and helps us to reflect on our dependence and responsibility to the organisms with which we share it.
From the food we eat, the water we drink, or the air we breathe, humanity's dependence on the natural world is absolute. The protection and regeneration of ecosystems are fundamental to our collective future. Marshmallow Laser Feast confronts these issues head-on through a magical and moving experience—and invites you to join them on it.
Your experience takes place in Sequoia National Park, home to the Giant Sequoia trees. Share a breath with the forest and witness the unseen connection between plant and human.
Lasting 15 minutes and accommodating two groups of 5 people simultaneously, visitors will use a unique combination of technologies: from untethered virtual reality, heart rate monitors, and breath sensors to body tracking. You will be completely immersed in a world beyond human perception.
We Live in an Ocean of Air was made by London-based immersive art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast in collaboration with Natan Sinigaglia and Mileece I’Anson.
Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) creates immersive experiences, expanding perception and exploring our connection with the natural world. Fusing architectural tools, contemporary imaging techniques, and performance with tactile forms, MLF sculpt spaces that lay dormant until animated by curiosity and exploration. Informed as much by playfulness as research, MLF breaks the boundaries to worlds beyond our senses.
How long does the experience last?
15 minutes
Please arrive 15 minutes early.
In what language is the experience presented?
French only. Please note that this will not have a large impact in your experience. There will only be a short 2-minute French narration at the beginning of your experience & the rest will proceed with no language.
Can I wear glasses under the virtual reality headset?
Yes, it is possible, but it is preferable to wear contact lenses instead of glasses when using a virtual reality headset.
Is the experience accessible to people with limited mobility?
Yes, the experience welcomes visitors with limited mobility. Please get in touch with us before purchasing your ticket so that we can better accommodate you. (515- 225-0525 or email us at [email protected])
Companions of people with reduced mobility (RM) are strongly encouraged to participate in the virtual reality component to provide better direction and guidance. Companions are entitled to free admission.
Is the experience available to children?
The experience is restricted to an audience of 13 years and older.
Technical Issues:
Due to the complexity of the technology used, the facility may require unscheduled maintenance resulting in delays or cancellations.
Can you refund or cancel your tickets?
No, we do not offer refunds or rescheduling services. If you have any further questions, please contact: [email protected].
What happens if I am late for my scheduled check-in time slot?
If you miss your check-in time, you should speak to a staff member when you arrive for assistance. If possible, we will try to accommodate you by giving you access to the site upon arrival or by offering you an alternative departure on the same day.
I would like to book a group visit; how does it work?
For school visits, please email [email protected].
For corporate visits or group visits of 10 people or more, please call the box office at 514-225-0525 or email us at [email protected].
Do all members of my group have to be together to register?
Yes, if you want the experience at the same time. If you are planning a visit and think that your group members might arrive at different times, we suggest ordering your tickets separately.
Is there on-site parking at the PHI Centre?
Unfortunately, the PHI Centre does not have parking. City of Montreal parking is available in its vicinity.
Are there restrooms available on site?
Yes, restrooms are available.
Hygiene and Cleaning
Our team follows a meticulous protocol of hygiene measures: equipment, including helmets, is carefully disinfected with an ultraviolet machine for effective sterilization between each visitor.
For more information on our measures against COVID-19, please consult our Health and Safety Policy and Safety Protocol in Place.
Will the vaccination passport be required?
Yes, for all adults and youth aged 13 years and older. Please refer to the Vaccine Passport page for more information.
Health Recommendations:
WLOA is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, heart problems, back problems, a history of seizures, epilepsy, and sensitivity to flashing lights.
Why do I need to wear a heart rate monitor?
The heart rate monitor is designed to enhance your experience, and is integral to the installation content. If you have any questions about this, please speak to a member of staff on arrival. We will be capturing heart rate data from the sensor, but this will be totally anonymized and not traceable to any individual or time stamp. If you have questions about this please refer to our Privacy Policy.
I have allergies, will I be affected by the scents you use in the experience?
This experience includes scent, designed to enhance your experience of the installation.
These scents have been certified as in compliance with the standards of the International Fragrance Association, for the way they are used in this experience. Certification and safety data sheets are kept on site and available on request. If you are particularly concerned about the impact of the ingredients used on your allergies, please get in touch for this information.
I have a pacemaker, is it safe for me to participate?
We are not using any technology which should interfere with pacemakers.
Flashing images in content?
It is possible your experience may include flashing images, please contact us prior to purchasing tickets if you have any questions.
Roam the space freely but carefully.
Please wait for instructions from the mediators before settling in and beginning your experience.
If you have any problems, stay still and raise your hand. A mediator will be with you shortly.
Running or walking backwards will cause unpleasant collisions.
Avoid sitting on the ground.
Please be careful with the equipment.
Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Photography is allowed with no flash.
Concept: Marshmallow Laser Feast
Directed by: Ersin Han Ersin, Barnaby Steel, Robin McNicholas
In collaboration with
Natan Sinigaglia and Mileece I’Anson
Executive Producer: New Balloon
Executive Producer: Eleanor (Nell) Whitley
Executive Producer: Mike Jones
Executive Producer: Josh Ponte
Technical Director: Louis Mustill
Touring Producer: Andrew Stone
User Experience Designer: Mimi Poskitt
Producer: Anna Firbank
Concept Advisor: Sam Smit
Botany Advisor: Dr Jo Elworthy
Advisor on respiratory physiology: Professor Michael Depledge CBE FRCP
Visual direction, system design and graphics programming: Natan Sinigaglia
Sound design, soundscape, plant bio-data capture and composition: Mileece I’Anson
System design and graphics programming: checksum5 and vvvv: Elias Holzer, joreg, Sebastian Gregor, Tebjan Halm
VVVV Developer: Will Young
VVVV Developer: Randall Vazquez
Fluid Simulation Design: Johannes Timpernagel
Graphics Programming: Kyle McLean
Technical artist: Adam Heslop
Electronics Engineer: Sean Malikides
Product Designer: Tom Forsyth
Chief Tinkerer: Arron Smith
Multisensory Design and Olfactive system: The Feelies
Creative Director: Grace Boyle
Perfumer: Andreas Wilhelm
Scent deployment unit product design: Martyn Carter
Scent deployment unit technical design: Karl Wustrau
VoodooVR - Engineered immersive experiences: Alec Lane & Jan Breens
Technician: Adi Wiedersheim Sendagorta
Technician: Thomas Begley
R&D Point Cloud Scans: Egmontas Geras
Environment VFX Producer: Toby Matthews
Environment VFX Coordinator: Rachael Gordon
Environment VFX Supervisor: Jonathan Hancock
Environment 3D Digital Artist: Sam Hunt
Environment Junior 3D Generalist: Dwayne Green
Environment Head of 3D: Sandy Heslop
Additional assets: Megascan, Quixels
Additional Houdini Asset Preparation: Lewis Saunders
Promo VFX Animation, look Dev: Erik ferguson
Promo VFX technical director: Ole Geir Eidsheim
Promo Modelling: Mads Ringdal and Erik Ferguson
Promo Sound Design: James Bulley
Voiceover Artist: Verity Henry
Head of Finance: Matthew Dale
Studio Manager: Aisha Saeed
Brand Consultancy: Pollitt & Partners
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