A new experiential art installation is coming to Sensorio Paso Robles. On April 11, 2025, Sensorio will open its doors to FOSO, a Fiber Optic Symphonic Orchestra, featuring 32 state-of-the-art columns of light set in a rotary structure and synchronized to a musical score, creating the experience of an orchestra playing amid the lights. Known the world over for his large-scale immersive light installations, FOSO marks the fifth art exhibit at Sensorio for UK artist Bruce Munro.
“We’re thrilled to showcase Bruce’s incredible work and bring another immersive art experience to California’s Central Coast,” said Ryan Hopple, Sensorio’s General Manager. “Our venue showcases a unique cross-section of art and technology among nature, and we’re excited to bring on another exhibit showcasing music. It’s like having our own orchestra nestled among the hills of Paso Robles.”
FOSO’s light-responsive orchestra is designed to play “in time” to the score of the music, which means as guests walk through the display, they will hear the individual instrument sections of the orchestra, whether it be the orchestrathe violins or even the timpani. Munro enlisted Emmy award-winning British composer Nainita Desai to compose an exclusive score that highlights each orchestral player and makes for a stunning, immersive experience.
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“This installation is unique in that it creates a multi-sensory experience, blending the sounds of an orchestra with a dynamic color display, so that as you go through the exhibit, the display responds according to the music cues,” Munro said. “For our fifth exhibit, we wanted to create something more powerful while still maintaining a level of abstraction for the audience, and we think FOSO does just that.”
Desai composed the score for Munro’s colorful artwork, with each note representing a specific color. The entire project took more than several years to complete, and the music was written exclusively for this FOSO experience. Desai adds, “I am intrigued by the relationship between music, light and patterns in nature and wanted to take the audience on an exhilarating, emotional journey exploring these connections. This is the first time I’ve ever composed music for a space so unique like Sensorio and hope to bring a piece of the symphony right to the vineyards of Paso Robles.”
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Sensorio will offer an autographed vinyl release of the music of FOSO for sale with the Grand Opening of the exhibit.
The Sensorio grounds feature 35 acres of vibrant light displays with easy walk paths allowing visitors to experience complete sensory immersion. FOSO joins the already existing breathtaking art installations at Sensorio, including:
- The “Field of Light” exhibit, created by UK-based artist Bruce Munro, is the largest and first exhibit featuring 100,000 stemmed spheres that glow like jewel-toned flowers across the hillsides.
- “Light Towers”, also by Bruce Munro, features 69 towers of more than 17,000 wine bottles, illuminated with glowing optic fibers. Light Towers pays tribute to the 200+ wineries and vineyards in Paso Robles.
- “Gone Fishing” also by Bruce Munro, offers a playful interpretation of an introspective pastime featuring 30 semi-circular arrays of 25 multicolored fishing rods.
- Bruce Munro’s “Fireflies” is made up of nearly 10,000 points of white light that float and sway organically on optical fibers in the breeze.
- The “Dimensions” exhibit by HYBYCOZO, which features more than 40 large-scale LED light sculptures to captivate audiences through light, color shadows, and geometric patterns.
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The Grand Opening weekend for Sensorio will also feature four-time Grammy-nominated Jazz trumpeter Jay Jennings on April 13. Known for his work with Jazz supergroup Snarky Puppy, the performance is part of the “Libretto Presents – Radiant Rhythms” concert series at Sensorio.
Tickets for the Grand Opening weekend for FOSO are now on sale. Purchase online at the Sensorio Paso website.
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