Field of Light is Immersive Art, a new thing here. Sensorio’s Field of Light brings it to California’s Central Coast.
Are you into it? Let’s find out…
What Is Immersive Art?
Immersive is a cool new buzz-word. Sounds fun, right? It’s defined as “deep absorption or immersion in something (such as an activity or a real or artificial environment).”
Language immersion schools are growing all over the country, immersive theater is now a thing, and escape rooms are a popular entertainment choice. And did you know that colleges now have “Experience Management” as a major within the Business Schools? There is a growing demand for experiences from the younger generation.
Founders Discover An Idea
Sensorio founders and Central Coast locals Ken and Bobbi Hunter developed a truly unique experience. Visitors explore the area with the convergence of technology, art, and nature. What was their inspiration? They saw artist Bruce Munro’s famous installation “Field of Light Uluru” in Australia and knew they had to include a similar attraction at Sensorio.
The Exhibit
Field of Light at Sensorio is the first of several phases of projects. Munro’s immersive art experience covers 15 of the 380 acres in Paso Robles, CA that are dedicated to Sensorio. Eventually, another 40 acres will host additional attractions. The future plans also include a hotel and conference center.
The massive project took over 20 people, six weeks to finish. 58,800 solar-powered fiber optic spheres were carefully arranged throughout the canyon. They undulate with light and movement as the sun goes down each night.
There are multiple entrance points to the exhibit. Thus you can watch the gradual lighting occur from above at the outset. After, you can then wander through the canyon following whichever path speaks to you. Munro intended for the experience to be immersive and meditational, in an art-as-therapy sort of way.
Field of Light at 5:30pm
How To See the Field of Light
Originally scheduled to be open to the public through January 5, 2020, the immersive art exhibit has been so popular that it’s been extended thru the end of June 2020 and extended once again through January 3, 2021. So if you’re hoping to see it you better make plans soon! This would be an amazing day trip or family excursion during spring break for example.
Tickets are available at SensorioPaso.com or you can take your chances and hope to snag some of the limited number sold at the door each night.
Field of Light Tips
- Parking. There is a large unpaved lot with free parking and employees directing traffic.
- Security. As you enter the attraction, show your ticket and expect any bags you’re carrying to be inspected. Food and drink are not allowed to be brought in the venue. Sealed or empty water bottles are allowed.
- Pathways. The paths winding throughout the exhibit are dirt – about 5 feet wide, and in some areas they slope. They are lit after sunset, but not very brightly as it would disturb the experience, so just be careful once it gets dark.
Strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs are allowed, but the pathways do get crowded the later you arrive since the paths are used for exiting as well as entering.
- Food & Drink. Purchase available food and drinks on-site and enjoy the chairs and tables provided. Alcoholic beverages are available with ID.
- Restrooms. There are semi-permanent restroom facilities (not port-a-potties) that are clean and nice. If you are waiting to enter the exhibit because it hasn’t opened yet (doors open at 5:30 pm) and need to use the restroom you will need to find an employee and they will escort you to the restrooms and then back to the line. Restrooms are near the entrance behind the dining patio.
- Viewing. Field of Light is meant to be an immersive and meditative experience. There are benches for seating located throughout the exhibit. Give yourself the best experience possible by arriving right at 5:30 before sunset, and grabbing a bench to sit on. Then, sit quietly just enjoying the meditative quality. Watch the sun set over a stunning rendition of an entire field of flowers blooming before your eyes.
The Field of Light Extras
So we’ve told you all about Field of Light, but what if you’re not local? What else is there to do in Paso Robles? Only about a million other things!
Downtown Paso Robles
To get started, read all about some great things to do in our post Paso Robles, California: The Best Things To Do in Vibrant Downtown Paso.
Wineries & Vineyards
Next, with over 200 wineries in Paso Robles, we can’t write a blog post long enough to tell you about all of them. Visit www.pasowine.com for expert info on all of your choices.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Field of Light at Sensorio! Follow #scgthingstodo to make sure you’re always in the know about the latest events, or sign up for our newsletter to have all of the details delivered. It’s like Postmates for fun!
