Take a trip to outer space without leaving Charlotte at this new immersive VR exhibit
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Upon walking into Blume Studios, you're greeted by GAIA, the massive inflatable globe covered in NASA imagery of Earth — on display through Nov. 10. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
A couple of friends and I recently took a trip to outer space — virtually, that is.
State of play: Blume Studios recently opened its first exhibit, "Space Explorers: The Infinite," a virtual reality experience set at the International Space Station.
Why it matters: Blume Studios is a new creative hub from Blumenthal Arts, located in the former Charlotte Pipe and Foundry warehouse. It's an anchor of what will become Charlotte's Iron District, a 55.5-acre site bordering Uptown and South End.
What to expect: With the help of a VR headset, you'll embark on an hour-long journey around the ISS, viewing real footage captured by astronauts during their time at the space station.
If you go: "The Infinite" has been extended through Jan. 5, 2025. Here are a few takeaways to make the most out of your visit.
The headset is your most important accessory.
Besides a short intro portion, most of the experience happens through an Oculus VR headset. You'll still see the people around you — just as avatars.
- Your friends will have a golden glow around them, so you won't lose track of each other. Others appear with a blue tint.
- I was worried I'd spend the entire time bumping into people, but the avatar system is surprisingly reliable.
Don't expect great pics.
As evidenced above, if you're looking to take Instagram-worthy photos, you might be disappointed.
- The exhibit itself is pretty bare because all the action happens through the headset.
- That said, it's a great excuse to put your phone away for an hour and be present.
Everyone's going to experience it a little differently.
The exhibit features hundreds of hours of footage that you'll experience through virtual orbs scattered throughout — think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure.
- Each orb plays a minute or two of video, showing everything from astronaut interviews to breathtaking views of Earth. Because of all the footage, it's unlikely you'll have an identical experience to anyone else.
- We were warned we wouldn't get to all the orbs —I probably only played around 20 of the 100+.
It's incredibly realistic.
It felt so real that I actually jumped a couple of times when astronauts suddenly appeared in front of me.
- The headset displays everything in 360 degrees, so even when you turn, you're still fully immersed.
- It's not just visual—the headphones make it even more convincing, constantly playing either the beeps and sounds of the spacecraft or conversations between the crew.
Don't rush through it.
You'll want to set aside at least an hour for the full journey.
Zoom out: Blume Studios is made up of two stages.
- Stage one is where you'll find "The Infinite," plus a cafe and a bar, a market with merchandise from local artists and additional art on display — like GAIA by UK artist Luke Jerram.
- Stage two is hosting "Faulty Towers," a comedy dining event that nods to the BBC series, "Fawlty Towers." It runs through Oct. 13.
What's next: Blume Studios has additional ticketed events. You can find other FAQ about Blume Studios and "The Infinite" — like ticket info, parking and more — here.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Oct. 2 and was updated on Oct. 17 to reflect the extended run date for "The Infinite."