A true waking dream promises to plunge with delight into the heart of Chinese and Japanese colors and traditions. Dreaming Asia is an original exhibition concept signed OASIS immersion, in collaboration with the French digital art studio Danny Rose, which will bring together for the first time three captivating immersive experiences offering the opportunity to (re)discover ancestral treasures such as graceful Japanese prints that have captured the imagination around the world, strolling along the river during the Qingming Festival, immersed in the most famous painting in China, Along the River during the Qingming Festival</em >, but also, to see the precious Piying Chinese shadow puppets come to life, an art developed more than 500 years ago and now included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

These captivating immersive works from the studio Danny Rose have been widely acclaimed internationally , including at the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, China, at INSIDE, in Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as at Kadokawa Culture Museum in Japan. They will be presented by the largest immersive destination in Canada for the first time in North America.

Rêver L’Asie Introduction Video Placeholder - First Frame

GALLERY 1: Into the Blue

The exhibition opens with an invitation to simply contemplate. To be inspired by the luminous world of American artist James Turrell, preparing visitors for their journey, disconnecting them from reality to allow for immersion in the present moment. Light and colour create a timeless, poetic, and mysterious environment, appealing to our senses. Our eyes, ears and body are engaged. Increasingly diffuse beams of light overlap to create a shifting geometry, inviting us to change our view of the world around us.

Along the River During the Qingming Festival

Nicknamed the “Chinese Mona Lisa”, Along the River During the Qingming Festival is undoubtedly one of the most powerful masterpieces of Chinese heritage, generally attributed to Song dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan (1085-1145). The original painting on a five-meter scroll depicts the daily life of different social strata during the Song dynasty (between 960 and 1279). Featuring more than 500 characters, some 60 animals and 20 boats, the canvas is rich in historical information on the trade, crafts, folklore, architecture and means of transportation of the era. As a creative piece, the work was revered, and court artists of later dynasties produced numerous reinterpretative replicas. Co-produced with Chinese immersive site Temple of Light, this experience was first conceived in virtual reality before being adapted for an immersive environment. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the Chinese culture of yesteryear.

Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 1 - Visual 1
Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 1 - Visual 2

GALLERY 2: Piying Dream

Pi Ying, also known as “shadow puppet theater”, is an ancient art form celebrated for over two millennia for its ability to captivate and amaze audiences of all ages. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recognized as the world’s oldest form of puppet theater, this art form is based on a unique technique, which uses cut-out figures and light effects to tell captivating stories that draw on China’s rich cultural heritage. Each performance is a journey through epic tales, ancestral legends and folklore illustrating not only stories, but also conveying timeless values and life lessons. Danny Rose artists undertook quite a journey to create this unique experience, drawing inspiration from a wide range of works, in particular the vast collection housed at the Minhang Chinese Shadow Theatre Folk Art Museum by Mr. Ma Demin, fifth-generation descendant of Ma’s shadow puppeteers and owner of the world’s largest shadow puppet collection. According to a popular Chinese legend, the origin of this practice dates back to the time of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. Prepare for a moving, discovery-intense experience! Proudly co-produced with Chinese immersive site Temple of Light.

Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 2 - Visual 1
Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 2 - Visual 2

GALLERY 3: Spirit of Japan

In Japanese, Ukiyo-e means “images of the floating world”. This artistic movement of the Edo period (1603-1868) is renowned for its ability to capture the ephemeral essence and beauty of everyday life. Ukiyo-e incorporates both painting and, more notably, printmaking, an art form that revolutionized artistic perceptions by emphasizing fluid lines, vivid colours and varied subjects. An ode to the avant-gardism of the great Japanese printmaking masters and their extraordinary expressive power, this immersive experience offers poetic visions that overtake the space, overwhelming visitors and offering a veritable journey into Japanese culture, featuring geishas, samurai warriors and spirits. The artistic movement was inspired by the Japanese prints that began circulating in Europe in the second half of the 19th century, when trade opened up between the West and Japan. Indeed, the influence of Ukiyo-e extended far beyond Japan’s borders, impacting many art forms around the world and through time. The discovery of Japanese art had a profound impact on Western art: not only on the paintings of Impressionists and avant-garde artists, but also the decorative arts, music and dance.

Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 3 - Visual 1
Oasis Immersion - Rêver L’Asie - Gallery 3 - Visual 2