Being in Bed | An immersive Experience for our Well-BEING
Alcova Miami: Art Basel Miami Beach / December 2023
A MIND-BODY JOURNEY INVESTIGATING THE HEALING POWER OF IMMERSIVE STORYTELLING
An immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of physical and digital realms, weaving a profound narrative that explores the bed as the ultimate sanctuary of the future. At the heart of the installation is a site-specific, fabric-reactive mattress installation that invites visitors to embark on a spiritual journey in Virtual Reality, redefining their perception of the bed. In an era characterized by instability and change, the bed emerges as the ultimate place of both collapse and self-reconnection.
TECHNOLOGY AND MINDFULNESS CONVERGE IN THE PHYGITAL BED
Visitors encounter touchpoints designed to capture the essence of presence within absence. Temperature-reactive sheets serve as canvases, bearing tactile image transfers of digital human traces. Hand-woven survival foils act as protective capes, creating a harmonious blend of natural and otherworldly experiences.
The immersive Virtual Reality component delves into the bed's profound significance, encouraging introspection by blending bodily traces and evocative sounds. Featuring a soundtrack by multiple Grammy-winning producers Basscharity, the ethereal journey encompasses the fundamental elements of life—from blood and sweat to skin and bacteria— coupled with affirmations that celebrate the holistic connection between body, soul, and mind.
Informed by visionary designers and thinkers like Beatriz Colomina, who have explored the bed's role in the digital age, BEING IN BED emerges as a captivating interpretation of the future. The bed, traditionally associated with rest, is redefined as a multi-sensory space capable of fostering both production and reproduction, adapting to the ever-evolving needs of modern life. In an age where technology seeps into our very being, this exhibition underscores the urgency of mindfulness and reconnecting with our natural bodies for balance, ritual, and grounding.
“IN AN AGE WHERE TECHNOLOGY PERMEATES EVERY CORNER OF OUR LIVES, BEING IN BED UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF MINDFULNESS AND RECONNECTING WITH OUR NATURAL BODIES FOR BALANCE AND WELL-BEING.
I AM NOT TRYING TO ERASE WHAT IS HERE TO STAY (TECHNOLOGY), BUT MUCH MORE WORKING WITH IT AS A GUIDE TO BUILD EXTENDED SPACES FOR HEALING, BY WEAVING NATURAL REMEDIES INTO A WORLD INCREASINGLY DEFINED BY DATA.”
Annabelle Schneider
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I am Annabelle Schneider, a Swiss-born, New York-based artist and designer whose interdisciplinary work sparks contemplation on the interplay between physical and virtual spaces. With a background in branding and spatial installations and a keen eye for user journeys, my eponymous studio explores innovative spatial concepts where technology and tactile elements converge to question and enhance one’s sense of comfort, belonging, and well-being.
I hold a graduate degree in Design Management, an AAS, and an MFA in Interior Design from Parsons, where I currently teach design studios focused on the future of retail and inclusive spaces. Previous collaborators include Vitra, Laufen, Eyesightgroup and Snarkitecture. My visionary work and approach has been recognized with a Future100 Interior Design award from Metropolis Magazine and recognition in international publications such as Dezeen, FRAME, Stylepark, Domus or designboom.
“I BELIEVE THAT THE FUTURE OF SELF-CARE IS ALL ABOUT EMOTIONS.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND TRANSCRIPTION BETWEEN SENSORY PERCEPTION AND INNER EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING MEANS TO DIGITIZE THIS PROCESS HOLDS THE POTENTIAL TO SATISFY CORE HUMAN EMOTIONAL NEEDS. NEW TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS VIRTUAL REALITY, CAN HELP US RECONNECT TO OUR INTUITION AND SELF-CARE SYSTEMS.”
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND TRANSCRIPTION BETWEEN SENSORY PERCEPTION AND INNER EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING MEANS TO DIGITIZE THIS PROCESS HOLDS THE POTENTIAL TO SATISFY CORE HUMAN EMOTIONAL NEEDS. NEW TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS VIRTUAL REALITY, CAN HELP US RECONNECT TO OUR INTUITION AND SELF-CARE SYSTEMS.”
Annabelle Schneider
VIRTUAL BED
An experience staged in the physical, body-comforting and thermoreactive- world of a bed. Allowing for the multi-sensorial and multi-dimensional immersion with a purpose: A response to shifting lifestyle patterns with a layered approach to achieve a restorative space. An investigation of how tech can be woven into the tactile physical space, in order to support people in their physical, emotional and mental well-BEING. Thinking multi-generational, multi-species, multi-purpose, multi-sensorial and -dimensional, as living situations become more varied.
The 2.5-minute journey into the mesmerizing world of Virtual Reality presents a fascination with forms of spirituality, cosmic craft and environments featuring symbolism. Symbolism that is tied to our natural bodies and the traces they leave in the folds of the sheets. Traces such as blood, hair, sweat (...). All can be seen as symbolic reminders that we are still human. Made and directed by nature. Not data (yet). Reminders to practice presence and paying attention to the natural voice within our bodies as guidance and pace-makers while navigating the short-attention span, anxiety infused world.
Getting closer to our nature can be a key part of health and wellness. In this case, I use VR to inspire explorations of full creative nature: Translated into shapes, textures, symbolisms found within our natural bodies. Playing with scale and sound, frequencies and light - healing sensations that have an effect like “touch at a distance”.
The power of virtual reality lies in how quickly your brain accepts the new environment: first-time users are often surprised how immersive the experience is. Research has found the effects of virtual reality follow through to real-world behavior, making VR a powerful new tool for social therapy and humanitarianism. The virtual space becomes an extended multidimensional layers for designers of spaces to be planned as well.
VIRTUAL JOURNEY: 360° VIDEO
PHYSICAL BED
Sleep, rest and contemplation remains a key pain to address. In an age where technology permeates every corner of our lives, BEING IN BED underscores the importance of mindfulness and reconnecting with our natural bodies for balance and well-BEING.
Visitors encounter a space draped with temperature reactive, tactile and soft materials. Cladding unexpected folds of sheets and blankets on wall, ceiling and layered mattresses for soothing the eye, the hand and the comfort of the body.
Give age-old practices new relevance: Hand-woven repurposed survival foil blankets drape space and bodies. Infused with with a deeper symbolic meaning of protection capes (from the surrounding fast-paced and glitching world were living in). Fabrics that create a dramatic, sheltering wall- and ceiling- backdrop and cocoon of the physical space. A space where a holistic approach combines modern science and ancient insights.
Handmade, thermo-reactive sheets change colors when touched and leave a temporary mark of physical presence. A play on the absence and disconnect to our natural body, when immersing in the digital world.
The sheets are draped on stacked mattresses and pillows, presenting a playful, communal, immersive bed with touchpoints that capture a sense of momentary grounding in the physical world.
IMPRESSIONS
“THE BED HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT MOTIF IN MY RESEARCH AND WORK BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY UNIVERSAL PLACE WE CAN CALL HOME. THE BED IS, INCREASINGLY SO, A MULTIFUNCTIONAL STAGE FOR LIFE. IT’S WHERE WE CAN BE VULNERABLE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE WITHOUT A FILTER
- WHERE WE ARE MOST REAL.”
“THE BED HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT MOTIF IN MY RESEARCH AND WORK BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY UNIVERSAL PLACE WE CAN CALL HOME. THE BED IS, INCREASINGLY SO, A MULTIFUNCTIONAL STAGE FOR LIFE. IT’S WHERE WE CAN BE VULNERABLE AND EXPERIENCE LIFE WITHOUT A FILTER
- WHERE WE ARE MOST REAL.”
Annabelle Schneider
PRODUCTS
BEING IN BED inspired an exclusive collection of limited-edition products aimed to transform moments of rest and wellness in the bedroom. The collection introduces a unique fusion of physical and digital elements to enhance the intimate spaces where we rejuvenate. All products are born and made for the bedroom and for everyone who seeks to elevate their bedroom experience. A collection that will change and expand as we evolve in dimensions and time.
I teamed up with another Swiss Designer Piera Wolf, who skillfully merged the symbolic reminders for „BEING“ with high-end silk textiles in form of a scarf and a sleeping mask. Both, soothing our bodies and allow for comfort, rest and style.
Trippy, the meditation pillow, was born in joint work between Swiss stylist and photographer Yvonne Wigger. A collaboration that nurtured during the pandemic and found its manifestation during spiritual weeks spent in the nature of Greece - products are hand-made, come with natural fillings and are limited as we used deadstock fabrics from a Swiss textile manufacturer.
GALLERY + SHOP
COLLABORATORS
Team Work makes the Dream Work.
A project that only gets richer by collaborations of kindred spirits. Experts and talents who all together strive to make the world a better place with the art, craft and vision we mutually share.
The immersive experience fostering well-BEING, interacts with the physical and digital spaces we’re living in. It comprises conceptual pillars (relaxation, energization, reconnection and stimulation). Powerful soundtracks in physical and virtual spaces help the visitor to relax and recharge, as they explore an imaginary world bringing them back into their body while BEING IN BED.
The experience debuted for NYCxDesign and further developed for Alcova Miami, both of the events listed amongst the top 20 architecture and design events in 2023, selected by Dezeen Responses paved new ways of allowing the project to grow further into 2024. We are excited to evolve and newly adapt to site, scale of community and programming.
GALLERY + ART COMMUNITY | ALCOVA MIAMI 2023
CAMPAIGN ART DIRECTION | PIERA WOLF
PHOTOGRAPHY | JURATE VECERAITE
SOUND VIRTUAL SPACE | BASSCHARITY
SOUND PHYSICAL SPACE | LUC OGGIER
VOICE VIRTUAL REALITY | AMANDA WILLIAMS
PROJECT VIDEO
Date: December 4th - 10th, 2023
Collaborators:
Gallery: Alcova Miami
Photography: Jurate Veceraite
Art Direction Campaign: Piera Wolf
Sound VR: Basscharity
Voice VR: Shamahealing
Sound Physical Space: Luc Oggier
Category: Things I built | Immersive Experience in the Virtual and Physical Space
Location: Selina Gold Dust Motel, 7700 Biscayne Boulevard, Room 222 | Miami
Press: Mixtemag, Fashionsnoops, DesignMate, FastCompany, World Red Eye, Dezeen Event Guide, Alcova, UBJ