The “Warmheartedness” Project is a special immersive installation featuring music from the band Nous Alpha in partnership with The Mind & Life Institute and the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This installation will feature audio of His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on profound, timely and universal topics recorded at the 2022 Mind and Life Summit in Dharamshala, India. The voice of His Holiness is supported and surrounded by a custom bed of immersive music recorded in Quadrophonic, produced and performed by Christopher Bono and Gareth Jones of Nous Alpha.

The installation will explore themes such as compassion, non-violence, global warming, education, democracy, and global unity, using cutting-edge technology to create a multi-sensory experience.

A Sensory Immersion in Deep Listening

• His Holiness’s voice is the heart of the experience, surrounded by a quadraphonic soundscape.

• A balance of 2/3 light, 1/3 dark—embracing both tension and beauty.

• The four corners of the quadraphonic space mirror the Four Noble Truths, guiding visitors through a journey of presence and transformation.
  
  

Deep Listening Experience

• Centered on His Holiness's voice in quadraphonic sound, creating an intimate spatial audio environment
• Alternates between:
• Pure Listening Periods: Dedicated times for contemplation with minimal lighting
• Dynamic Artistic Moments: Full sensory experiences blending sound, light, and motion
• Sound moves through space like planetary orbits, with the Dalai Lama's voice always centered

Visual Journey

• Contemplative Hours: Subtle ambient lighting supporting pure audio focus
• Artistic Moments: Curated visual experiences from international artists
• Generative Elements: Ever-changing light and form responding to sound
• All visual elements designed to enhance rather than overshadow the message

Sacred Architecture

• A modular cube design reflecting the Four Noble Truths
• Flexible Seating: Encouraging both individual meditation and collective experience
• Carefully Crafted Flow: From entrance to exit, each moment shapes the journey
• Scalable Design: Adaptable to various venues while maintaining acoustic integrity

NOUS ALPHA
Experimental Soundscapes by producers Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Can, Mogwai, etc.) and Christopher Bono (OSC Founder, Bardo, Ghost Against Ghost, NOUS)

• A spiritual and artistic partnership between Christopher Bono and Gareth Jones
• Formed from shared interest in improvisation and experimental electronic music
• Gareth Jones: Renowned producer (New Order, Depeche Mode, Erasure)
• Christopher Bono: Composer, meditation teacher, founder of Our Silent Canvas

Musical Philosophy:

• Emphasis on in-person collaboration
• Balance of electronic and acoustic elements
• Integration of spiritual practice with creative process
• Focus on harmony between technology and nature

• Developed from recordings at the 2022 Mind and Life Conference in Dharamsala
• When His Holiness the Dalai Lama's voice was isolated, natural musical patterns emerged
• Nous Alpha (Christopher Bono & Gareth Jones) composed around these recordings, creating a deeply immersive auditory experience 
• The result: 47+ distinct pieces across 8.5 hours of original music

1. Full Spectrum Experience

Format: A museum-scale installation with custom-built architecture and cutting-edge technology.

Technical Scale: High-budget, large-scale projection, fully immersive sound, and lighting integration.

Deep Listening Approach:

• Scheduled Deep Listening Periods: A rotating schedule will include moments of pure audio-only experiences within the space.
• Total Sensory Engagement: During active hours, visuals, sound, and light create a transformative environment.

Audience & Impact:

• A landmark cultural event for a major museum or institution.
• High production quality ensures maximum artistic impact.
• Requires $1M+ in funding, but creates a permanent or long-term exhibition.

2. Integrated Venue Collaboration

Format: Hosted at existing digital and immersive venues (Artechouse, Meow Wolf, planetariums, immersive art centers).

Technical Scale: Medium investment; utilizes existing venue technology (projection mapping, spatialized sound, VR spaces).

Deep Listening Approach:

• Audio-First Sessions: Some venues specialize in immersive sound experiences without visuals.
• Hybrid Models: Some venues allow customized, interactive visual elements, depending on capabilities.

Audience & Impact:

• Museum and immersive art lovers who are accustomed to paying for tickets.
• Institutional collaborations increase legitimacy and scalability.
• Mid-level funding required, but major artistic impact.

3. Grassroots Activation

Format: City-to-city pop-ups, rented venues, temporary spaces, community centers, galleries, libraries, yoga studios.
Technical Scale: Low-budget setups; adaptable to various venue sizes; primarily audio-based, with optional low-fi visuals.

Deep Listening Approach:

• Audio-Only Sessions: Some events may be just pure deep listening experiences in darkened or meditative settings.
• Minimal Visuals: Some spaces may incorporate simple projections, lighting, or DIY visuals.

Audience & Impact:

• Local community-driven, highly accessible.
• Requires minimal funding to activate.
• Flexible and scalable – allows global engagement.