On October 12, the Juilliard Imagination Space was unveiled by Joseph W. Polisi, president emeritus and chief China officer of The Juilliard School and Wei He, CEO and artistic director of The Tianjin Juilliard School. The exhibition will be open to the public for visiting tours starting on October 25, 2023.
We have always said that our institution would function as a catalyst to develop new approaches to teaching and in performance. Juilliard Imagination is a manifestation of one element of what we're talking about, that this space will be open to the public. We would like to welcome children's groups, senior citizens, and tourists to come to the building to see our beautiful architecture and to also experience the art of music, dance, and drama.
Joseph W. Polisi
Visitors to Tianjin Juilliard can now participate in the newly opened Juilliard Imagination Space. In this interactive exhibition, experience what it feels like to sit as first violinist in the Juilliard String Quartet, listen to Mozart’s Don Giovanni while viewing the original manuscript, or create your very own composition to bring home with you. With the help of Sony’s proprietary software, visitors will be able to see classical music in a new light, through an exhibit that is entirely curated to each unique participant.
“From the very beginning, the school was designed to welcome people to come into this building.” said Wei He, CEO and artistic director of The Tianjin Juilliard School.
The opening hours of the Juilliard Imagination Space are from 14:00 to 16:00 every Wednesday (except holidays), and tickets are available at 30 RMB per person.
The Juilliard Imagination Space has five unique sections for visitors to explore: Treasures, Panorama, Playlist, Signature, and Soundscape.
‘Treasures’ is an electronic library of 141 original manuscripts from the Juilliard Manuscript Collection in New York City. The vast selection includes the manuscript of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, along with the composer’s handwritten edits and revisions written into the score. The collection also includes the extensively revised final 50 measures of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony. The collection boasts a wealth of opera scores as well, such as the manuscript of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Visitors can even follow the notations of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas while simultaneously enjoying audio recordings of the music from Juilliard performances.
‘Panorama’ provides an unparalleled listening and viewing experience for visitors, with a 20-meter state-of-the-art multimedia wall installation. It invites viewers to enjoy performances from Tianjin Juilliard students and faculty in concert through a virtual showcase. Feel like a part of the live audience by taking a seat and indulging in this remarkable audiovisual crossover.
‘Playlist’ is a high-resolution music station using the latest audio software technology, provided by Sony, to give listeners a unique opportunity to experience Juilliard alumni and renowned musicians’ recordings. The Juilliard ‘Playlist’ is curated by Juilliard alumni such as David Robertson, Long Yu, and John Williams. The selections include works across a wide variety of genres, including Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring performed by the Juilliard Orchestra conducted by Alan Gilbert, and Chen Qigang's Joy and Sorrow performed by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra conducted by Long Yu.
‘Signature’ is an interactive compositional component of the exhibit, allowing visitors to partake in the music-making process themselves. Equipped with two keyboards, visitors of all ages and backgrounds can have fun creating their own works of art. These short compositions will be projected onto the adjacent wall, partnered with a QR code so you can listen to your composition and take home your newest creation as a keepsake.
‘Soundscape’ serves as the most immersive part of the Juilliard Imagination Space. Through their visit, visitors will be able to partake in the Juilliard experience in ways never done before. Visit the classrooms, theaters, and concert halls of Juilliard's New York campus in virtual reality, watch performances by Juilliard faculty and students, and take a behind-the-scenes look at dance rehearsals and drama classes. Visitors will be given specially designed headsets and handheld devices to immerse themselves in the world of Juilliard through digital hotspots. The main attraction of this exhibit is the unprecedented opportunity to sit ‘in’ the Juilliard String Quartet. Take a seat at one of the four chairs provided and hear Schubert’s Death and the Maiden through the ears of the chosen instrumentalist, providing an immersive and unparalled experience.