Chicagoans got their first taste of an immersive art experience in 2021 when Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago set up residence on Germania Place in Lincoln Park. As long as they were masked and could prove they were vaccinated, visitors were extended the chance to lose, or immerse, themselves in massive digital projections of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic masterpieces. Beautiful music played in the background and people were encouraged to walk through the venue’s covey of expansive rooms to accentuate the feeling of being one with great art. The show was a tremendous success and Lighthouse Immersive has gone on to present similarly well received productions of other globally renowned artists including Monet, Gustav Klimt, and Frida Kahlo. These days, Covid protocols have been shelved. Expanding the range of their creative offerings, the arts venue has introduced jazz to the mix with their Live @ Lighthouse Summer Concert Series. Launched in late June, the series features some of the most acclaimed names in jazz and covers a wide spectrum of jazz excellence in both voice and instrumentation.
Currently featuring Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius as the venue’s marquee exhibition, the visual experience is an important part of this seasonal offering too and fills the first half of each summer series’ program. As they did when they debuted Immersive King Tut last Fall, the Mozart show focuses on an individual and an age that continues to capture our collective imagination and turns that interest into a visual adventure. Highlighting the classical period during the mid and late 1700s, when influential composers like Mozart proliferated, the gallery’s imposing walls come alive with images that recall the grandeur of an idealized age. Because they float before our eyes and above our heads as if in a dreamscape, loose and montage like, most visitors may not realize how closely they reference specific episodes of Mozart’s spectacular and ultimately tragic life.
Mozart’s own music provides the thematic underpinning of the nine scenes that begin with his birth and culminate with his untimely death in 1791 at 35. Some of the presentation includes film footage. In the fifth scene, legendary ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov portrays Mozart’s father, Leopold. Until this point, the objects and people represented in the show seemed more referential touchstones. Baryshnikov’s silent performance as Leopold Mozart injects a touching slice of humanity. Set on the musical template of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, we watch Leopold absorb the crushing regret and guilt of an overly demanding father. Somber and beautiful, Mozart Immersive succeeds in helping understand and appreciate an important influence in western culture.
With all walls in the gallery saturated in beauty, the power of visual art remained a major component of the jazz portion of the evening as well. When Lenny White, Buster Williams and Cyrus Chestnut climbed the stage and settled in, they immediately dove into a set reflective of another kind beauty. With White manning the drums, Williams providing a masterclass on bass, and Chestnut spinning peerless magic on piano, they immediately mesmerized a sold-out crowd with the caliber of their musicianship.
Building until it reached a plateau reminiscent of romance and Spain, the music climbed from soft insinuation to sleek assurance. Pausing for introductions, White noted that the wonderful compositions the trio opened with flowed from creative mind of the their pianist. Later in their performance, the three would even perform jazz draped interpretations of Mozart’s own work to splendid effect. Usually known for the soulfulness of his style in addition to his phenomenal technical abilities, this time around Chestnut’s famed craftsmanship was tied to an easy elegance and sophistication. All of the musicians exuded the unflappable composure of accomplished artisans. Even when lost in sweeps of frenetic expression, at bedrock was unwavering control. Having often played and recorded together, these were veterans who plied their trade with the unshakeable confidence of kings. Williams on bass was particularly mesmerizing, creating sounds that connect directly to one’s core.
White noted how unique it was for them to not only have the sensation of “being” in a painting, but also to be playing in one. Subtly and unobtrusively, the visual signature of the space would occasionally change. From Mozart inspired images to Van Gogh’s radiant sunflowers or Kahlo’s regal self-portraits, the musicians and the audience were always surrounded by artistic treasures in soft low light.
Summer escapes can take many forms. The bubble of wonder Lighthouse Immersive creates with its summer series stands out for both its rarity and its excellence.
Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago
Live @ Lighthouse Summer Concert Series
Final Show: August 31, 2023
Billy Hart, Yotam Silberstein, Omer Avital
7pm
108 W. Germania Pl.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: lighthouseartspace.com/Chicago
