Cinematic Experience Life of a Neuron to be featured at American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day
The Society for Neuroscience and ARTECHOUSE are proud to present an adaptation of the immersive Life of a Neuron exhibition at American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day on November 7. White House Demo Day highlights more than 40 American innovations in science and technology, fueling our national potential and aspirations. These advances, supported by federal funding, aim to improve American lives and shape our collective future. The Life of a Neuron exhibition showcases how NIH-funded basic research, facilitated through Society for Neuroscience, leads to real-world meaningful insights for the public and how innovative organizations like ARTECHOUSE bring important information to the public in ways that are relevant to today’s audience. Notably, this exhibition was enthusiastically received by over 145,000 attendees, underscoring its significance and reach.
Life of a Neuron, a groundbreaking, cinematic story and exhibition that arose out of a partnership between the Society for Neuroscience and ARTECHOUSE, uses decades of neuroscience data and research, much of it the result of dedicated federal investment, to explore how the brain shapes the universal human experience. American Possibilities participants will be able to experience a universal life cycle from a neuron's perspective—the microscopic messengers in the brain managing information transfer and processing considered the key to human existence. Carefully crafted by the ARTECHOUSE Studio, and through the use of the latest in creative technologies Life of a Neuron allows all visitors to explore the beauty of that science—and walk away with a profound reminder that humans across the globe share the basic building blocks of existence. No matter the age or background of the audience member, Life of a Neuron tells the story of all our lives as human beings.
“What I find so exciting about Life of a Neuron is that it is the first of its kind to use data like this to bring key neuroscience principles to life,” said John Morrison, Ph.D., lead neuroscientist of Life of a Neuron and Director of the California National Primate Research Center. “Through the work of an incredible group of scientists and artists, we’re able to bring the world artistic interpretations of the scientific data and principles to allow the audience to experience neuroscience in an entirely different way. It is my hope that this exhibition adaptation will spark more curiosity in those who see it and inspire them to learn more about the universe between their ears.”
The 20-minute cinematic story offers visitors a chance to walk into artistic renditions of a brain at the cellular level — encountering a larger-than-life human neuron, the “thinking cells” of the brain. Depicting the life stages of a human neuron from neural migration to aging, guests are surrounded by a highly immersive sound design that tells a universal life story, beginning with a baby crying and including sounds of laughter, children playing in a playground, people singing happy birthday, an ambulance siren, and finally a flatline.
“What’s fascinating and revolutionary about this collaboration and the narrative we are telling with Life of a Neuron is the ability to have the audience experience something that is happening inside all of us,” said Sandro Kereselidze, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of ARTECHOUSE. “It’s an incredible opportunity to visualize and explore the science that we have been collecting for the past 50 years through research, much of it funded by federal investment, and study in a new, artistic way that still speaks to the human experience.”
Life of a Neuron originally premiered at ARTECHOUSE in Washington, D.C. in 2021 and then toured to New York City in 2022. American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day, an invite-only event will host leaders from across the federal government, industry, and academia, as well as the press.
About Society for Neuroscience:
The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is an organization of nearly 35,000 basic scientists and clinicians who study the brain and nervous system.
Since its founding in 1969, SfN has played a critical role in supporting the field of neuroscience, with its mission dedicated to advancing and advocating for scientific exchange, supporting diversity and career training, and educating the public about the importance of neuroscience research.
About ARTECHOUSE:
An industry leader in the field of digital and experiential art, ARTECHOUSE expands the possibilities of art and how we experience it through cutting-edge technology-driven exhibitions and experiences. ARTECHOUSE connects progressive ideas, artists, and audiences to stimulate innovation and creativity at the intersection of art, science, and technology. What started as the nation's first digital art space is now a home, online and off, for technology-driven art innovation, with a mission to empower and fund the creation of new, experiential, and exploratory art forms that make an impact.
ARTECHOUSE Studio is an interdisciplinary team of designers, architects, producers, and storytellers working together to turn ideas and concepts into cutting-edge, technology-driven experiences. ARTECHOUSE and its Studio are known for bringing bespoke tools powered by technology to realize complex and multifaceted presentations---working with industry leaders such as the Society for Neuroscience, Pantone Color Institute, Nobel Prize Museum, and more recently NASA (Beyond the Light, DC and NYC).
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