Bob Marley One Love Experience; becoming a part of something far greater than the body

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

As I walked through the exhibit I felt myself becoming involved with it, being pulled into its universe and for a brief moment, I lost my sense of self in the process. I had never experienced immersive or experiential art, and what I learned is that it has the ability to envelop the audience in a full-body experience, where attendees are able to engage with sight, touch and sometimes even smell. I could tell the work that was put in by the artists to create an environment that surrounded the viewer, making them an active part of the experience.

While this movement has garnered growing enthusiasm in recent years, the art of immersion is by no means a new concept, and it has come to Toronto in a powerful way.

Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to the Preview & Reception for the Bob Marley One Love Experience on Thursday June 30^th, 2022, at the Lighthouse Artspace, 1 Yonge St.

I found out that this experience was created with the participation of the Marley family, and is a unique multi-room exhibit that brings together original art, music, and immersive, and experiential rooms. The exhibit showcases previously unseen Marley photographs and memorabilia while taking audiences on a journey through his lifestyle, passions, influences, and enduring legacy. Moving through six distinct spaces in the exhibit, I ventured through the One Love Forest, visited the Soul Shakedown Studio, and delved into a multi-sensory celebration of one of the world’s most beloved and unifying musical and cultural figures.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I do want to share what you can expect when you visit. I was greeted with positive vibrations in the One Love Music Room, which was adorned with lyrics, awards, accolades, and one of the largest vinyl records commemorating Legend, the highest selling reggae albums of all time.

I then entered the One Love Forest that took me deep into Jamaica and the visual backdrop of the Marley songbook. It was so beautiful that I had to do a Live from the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper Facebook page.

As I moved through, I came upon the Soul Shakedown Studio. We were offered headphones, and I must confess, I was lost in this silent disco experience. It felt like I was at a party, and all around me people were jamming even though the room itself was silent.

As fun as that was, I had to move to the next room, which was the Beautiful Life Zone. It celebrated all of Bob’s passions from football to family in a game room setting.

I really liked the colour explosion that came next in the Concrete Jungle Street Art Expo, and in the Next Gen Zone all visitors were able to celebrate and honour the legacy of Bob Marley by highlighting the work of his wife Rita, his children, and his grandchildren. Guests had an opportunity to leave a message of peace and inclusivity on the One Love Tree as we reflected on our experience.

After making its world premiere at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London, UK where reviewers said “…the multisensory interactivity, capturing his unifying legacy, sets the show apart… one for music lovers of all types, not just diehard fans,” (The Times) and “you’d need a heart of stone not to feel the love,” (Evening Standard), the exhibit arrives in Toronto leading up to the triumphant return of Carnival and in association with Toronto Caribbean Carnival organization.

Starting July 1^st, 2022 through September, the people of Toronto have the chance to access this immersive creation and provide the simultaneous ability to lose their sense of selves within it. The Bob Marley One Love Experience is about becoming a part of something far greater than the body, absorbing yourself totally by standing within and not before the artwork.

Find out ticket details and how you can learn more about the exhibit by visiting https://www.bobmarleyexp.com/