"It is a remarkable, somewhat surreal effect..."
In the groundbreaking artistic medium known as mixed reality – where viewers observe augmented visual material through a pair of special goggles, combined with adaptive audio that virtually emanates from the location of that augmented imagery – artistic director Todd Eckert creates a “live” concert of his friend, the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Taking place across 19 February – 16 March 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, KAGAMI is the latest innovative showcase from Eckert’s arts collective Tin Drum, continuing to break new ground in the realms of virtual performance art.
KAGAMI flash sale
- $48 tickets for 48 hours
- Monday 3 Mar 10am – Wednesday 5 Mar 10am
- Tickets here
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Following an introduction from Eckert himself – dressed majestically in long, loose black coat and linen pants – we are ushered into a large, dark circular room which transforms into an unusually intimate performance space.
For, in the centre of the room, sits the late Ryuichi Sakamoto at a Yamaha grand performing a programme of his most beloved solo piano works.
With the aid of the mixed reality goggles, we are able to approach Sakamoto to such an imposing degree of closeness that one feels as if they are intruding a sacred, personal rehearsal. In KAGAMI, audiences are able to stand at Sakamoto’s shoulder and peer over at his hands gracefully striding across the keys.
It is a remarkable, somewhat surreal effect, even more so when Sakamoto himself speaks, occasionally introducing the next piece in footage recorded shortly before his death in 2023.
The most remarkable achievement of this mixed reality experience is the sound placement, whereby virtually approaching the piano at a certain position is matched by the speakers in the room. If you are standing behind Sakamoto at his stool, or peering into the belly of the piano, the volume and quality of sound will adapt to where you are, just as though in front of a real piano.
It’s all incredibly accomplished, as are the assorted visual animations and graphics that accompany each piece Sakamoto plays. Without spoiling too much, the standout moment of the show comes during a performance of Sakamoto’s most enduringly popular piece, Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and the entire galaxy unfolds from the branches of a tree rising out of the piano wires.
As both a tribute to the great composer, and a new venture in virtual performance art, KAGAMI is uniquely, exquisitely innovative.
Find out more information here.
