When South by Southwest (SXSW) returned in 2022 after pandemic disruptions, it came back not just with conferences, film screenings, and showcases — it returned with vision.
That vision included something never before seen in Austin: a fully immersive, multi-dome art and music park. Powered by Fulldome.pro, in collaboration with Wisdom LA, the installation was more than a visual spectacle — it was a 360-degree cultural experiment.
In just five days, three massive projection domes rose on-site to host everything from sound baths and yoga sessions to digital art and live music. This wasn’t just a venue — it was an ecosystem.
What Is SXSW? A Festival of the Future
Founded in 1987, South by Southwest (SXSW) is now one of the world’s most influential events for creators, technologists, and cultural visionaries. Held annually in Austin, Texas, it brings together the brightest minds in music, film, art, education, startups, and innovation.
SXSW is more than a festival. It’s where new movements are born — and where emerging formats, like immersive dome experiences, find their global stage.
In 2022, SXSW leaned fully into this future — by partnering with dome technology and immersive content creators to reimagine live experience.
The Vision: SXSW’s First Immersive Dome Park
Until 2022, SXSW had never seen a full-scale immersive dome complex. That changed when Wisdom LA and Fulldome.pro introduced a bold concept:
An outdoor pop-up park of projection domes, each offering a unique spatial journey.
“We wanted to break down the walls between art, performance, and wellness — and make the experience fully immersive,” said a Fulldome.pro producer on-site.
Dome Specs & Setup
10M Dome – Large-Scale 360° Super Reality Dome
12M Dome – Ultra-Large 360° Immersive Dome
21M Dome – Premium 360° Super Reality Dome
Total immersive space created: Over 36,000 sq ft
Installation time: Just 5 days
All domes featured 360-degree projection, high-end sound systems, and were networked for content integration across events.
| Dome Size | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 21m | Projection dome | Main stage for large-scale immersive shows & events |
| 12m | Projection dome | Dedicated space for sound baths and visual art |
| 10m | Projection dome | Yoga sessions, DJ sets, and interactive content |
What Attendees Experienced
This was not a passive exhibit. The Immersive Art and Music Dome Park became a living, breathing space where visitors could:
🎵 Dance at open-air dome parties
With live DJs and 360-degree music visuals that wrapped around the crowd
🧘♀️ Join dome yoga and sound baths
Every morning, wellness seekers practiced inside the domes with spatial sound and meditative visuals
🖼 Explore digital art installations
Immersive artists projected interactive pieces that responded to sound, movement, and audience presence
🔊 Attend talks and performances
Keynotes, panel discussions, and live concerts were held with audiences fully surrounded by media — no stage required
The Partnership: Fulldome.pro x Wisdom LA
This landmark activation was made possible by the expertise of Wisdom LA and the dome systems by Fulldome.pro.
- Wisdom LA brought curatorial vision and programming, drawing from their experience in LA’s dome-based art space
- Fulldome.pro delivered the full dome stack — from engineering and logistics to projection systems and immersive software
Together, they turned an empty outdoor lot into a dome-based event campus — adaptable, engaging, and scalable.
Impact & Buzz
The immersive dome park quickly became one of the most talked-about attractions at SXSW 2022.
- 📰 Covered by blogs, influencers, and press
- 📸 Featured in countless social media stories and TikToks
- 🎟 Attracted both passholders and general attendees
- 🌐 Opened conversations around the future of entertainment, learning, and wellness
“People weren’t just attending an event — they were in the event,” one SXSW visitor posted.
Why Domes Work for Festivals
Domes aren’t just visually stunning. They’re functional and flexible, making them ideal for multi-day festivals like SXSW:
✅ Quick to install (no foundation needed)
✅ Weather-resistant
✅ Modular — different domes for different experiences
✅ Visually magnetic — excellent for branding, sponsorships, and social content
✅ All-in-one space for events, content, wellness, and interactivity
Fulldome.pro’s Vision for Pop-Up Dome Experiences
SXSW was just the beginning. Fulldome.pro is bringing its rapid-deployment dome parks to more global events and festivals.
Use cases include:
- Tech expos
- Art biennales
- University campuses
- Tourism activations
- Government showcases
- Branded entertainment
Each dome park can be customized by:
- Size
- Content type (interactive, cinematic, live)
- Branding
- Seating/stage layout
- Ticketing model
Future of Dome Parks: The SXSW Model as Blueprint
This activation proved that dome parks are not a niche novelty — they are a scalable platform for next-gen cultural experiences.
Festivals around the world are now exploring how to include:
- Immersive education spaces
- Cultural exhibitions inside domes
- Wellness zones powered by projection
- Fully branded entertainment domes for sponsors
SXSW 2022 was the launchpad for that vision — a live proof-of-concept that domes can amplify, unify, and electrify any creative event.
Want to Bring a Dome Park to Your Festival or Venue?
Fulldome.pro offers complete solutions for immersive dome activations — from 1-day events to month-long festivals, including:
- Dome hardware
- Projection + sound system
- Setup and operation
- Content development
- Sponsorship integration
- Ticketing & promotion support
👉 Request a Custom Estimate
👉 Download Franchise Kit
👉 See More Case Studies
At SXSW 2022, immersive domes weren’t a sideshow — they were the main attraction.
With Fulldome.pro and Wisdom LA’s partnership, Austin experienced what the future of events looks and feels like: interactive, immersive, and unforgettable.
And this is just the beginning.
