“We want the dome experience to be mobile”

The Bagatelle dome attracts visitors to the shopping centre. Those who have had the opportunity to visit it talk about it on social networks, further fuelling curiosity. Guillaume Jauffret, co-sponsor of the project, tells us about this.

With HoDA’s dome experience, you can leave the capital. Please explain to us your approach and how your offering differs from what we find at the House of Digital Arts (HoDA) in Port Louis?

The dome has been open since July 11th. This project came together very quickly. We came up with the idea in April and confirmed it with Bagatelle in May. With this project, we will open a branch outside Port Louis. We created this cell to be able to experiment. We always wanted to meet the public. This was our initial wish. We didn’t know in what form, and then, from an artistic point of view, I wanted another approach. At HoDA, we walk in the light, we move in immersive spaces; here I want to do it the other way around. That is, lying down Bean Bag Look at the vault of heaven. We remain still, but we travel through our minds in the story the artist tells us.

Why did you choose Bhagatel?

We are close to the people, close to the public. We are here to meet the Mauritians. shopping mall They are places of life and Bagatelle is one of them. Basically, we love the capital Port Louis, the history and the heritage, but we decided to highlight that this is a new stage. This dome experience is close to people and offers a great immersive experience to the public.

Why choose Dome Concept?

As Mauritians, we always look up to the sky. The sky and the sea are two elements that surround us. In Mauritius, we have very beautiful skies, beautiful nature. Since we are experimenting and since Mauritius has this dome, we decided to give this experiment a try. This dome is currently located in Bagatelle, from the Green Village. It is usually located there and offers events such as yoga and music classes and concerts. The dome has a special resonance. One day I told Agathe Desvaux de Marigny (editor’s note, owner of Green Village) that I dreamed of working with a dome. Then she gave me hers. Abroad, there are many projects that are carried out inside domes. These are usually planetariums. Artists work with scientists to create universes that allow us to explain the world and have the pleasure of knowing space. When I stepped into this project, I found that there were many experienced artists in the dome, whether it was painting or graphics and so on.

What do you have to show for this first experience?

We have designed a very eclectic program. The sessions last 20 minutes and include five films of three to five minutes each. This eclectic program, including various trips, is offered in the first week. Starting from this week, the program will have a thematic format. We will offer three themes: Exploring Space, Exploring the Earth and Adrenaline. The last category is a program that awakens the senses. The themed program will also include two new films, each lasting ten minutes.

How do you choose the artists whose films are screened in the Dome?

We launched a call for projects on themes on HoDA, specifically projects about volcanoes and trees. We received many projects from all over the world. Among them, Jérémy Oury, a French digital artist who specializes in domes, contacted us. So we contacted him in April and he agreed to share his network of artists with us. That’s how we found many films about domes. Then, together with the HoDA team, we made a selection. Jérémy Oury also went to Mauritius to train Mauritian technicians. This means that now we are autonomous on the dome and even if we have to move, we now know how to do it.

When do you plan to offer this dome experience?

Normally, the dome is scheduled to remain in Mauritius until December. He will be in Bagatelle until August 31. Next, we want to go to the north. We are currently discussing it. We want the dome to be mobile and reach places where there are people. I also want it to be in Mahébourg and the west. The idea is to cover the north, the west and Mahébourg.

At HoDA or in the Dome, what audiences are attracted to the digital experiences you offer?

We welcome families, young people and all generations. The audience is varied and interesting. My main goal is to attract young people because I have found that in Mauritius young people need rich activities that open their eyes to a different world and encourage gatherings. There are not many of these in Mauritius. The cultural environment is still developing.

Outside of the dome, how is HoDA doing, since it’s the centerpiece of this project?

HoDA is our reason for existence. It is a place for art and experimentation that allows you to work with very diverse artists. Today at HoDA we have both video projections with immersive rooms and projects around mechanisms. HoDA is a whole world that brings together multiple universes and we will never stop this. We are currently in the second season, which will last until July 31st. Eleven artists present their high-quality works there. This includes robotics, architecture and nature, that is, how humans develop in the nature that we want to protect. Nowadays, engineering and creativity merge. For me, an art project is successful if technology is accompanied by it. Engineering and creativity are essential to achieve great success. For the third season, we plan to launch the call for projects in October.

What is HoDA’s current attendance rate?

There is interest. However, from a personal point of view, I would like a little more because I am lucky to be able to use this tool in Mauritius. We host a lot of schools. Our desire is also to reconnect people with the capital, but I think there are always obstacles.

What do you think “holds people back”?

We ask ourselves questions but have no concrete answers, but to me, this is a mistake “brake”. People say there is no parking, or that the city is dangerous at night. We hear these things, although for me we are only a four-minute walk from the city terminal and it is nice to walk through the streets of Port Louis, especially in this season. A stroll through Port Louis also means walking through hundreds of years of history. I think it is also a question of curiosity, which, unfortunately, we tend to put aside. We don’t stimulate ourselves enough. We are content to stay comfortable. However, when you take this step, it is very worthwhile. We feel like we have grown up.

HoDA also offers evening events…*

We are opening the doors to HoDA. We also want creators in Mauritius to know that HoDA is a platform where they can present their projects, whether it is an event or a conference. We have a system with video projection, sound and lighting.

Do you get support for your dome experience?

We get sponsorship, but HoDA survives on its own resources. We initially received funding to start the project, but now we live on our resources.

As you said, the dome is also suitable for different activities. In addition to movies, do you plan to offer other experiences in the second step?

Indeed, in the Dome, there are many performances from abroad. It is very suitable for dance and music. In fact, we are thinking of offering other events, probably in future phases from October to December. In addition, we are looking for artists who can create films for the Dome.

Useful Information

The Dome Experience can accommodate 50 people at a time. Sessions are held every 30 minutes and last for 20 minutes. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 2 pm to 9 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Tickets are available for sale at Rs 250 on site or through the online ticket office: http://tickets.houseofdigitalart.io.