Factory Obscura crafts other-worldly, immersive art experiences accessible to all
Editor's note: This story is featured in OU Daily's Best of Oklahoma guide, which is available around campus in March-April. Check out other featured stories at the bottom of this Oklahoma City arts organization, Factory Obscura, creates immersive art experiences for all ages. The organization began in 2017 when five artists combined their expertise to create an interactive exhibit called “Shift” which was expected to bring in 5,000 visitors within three months, but reached 20,000. Co-founder and director of logistical creativity, Kelsey Karper, credits the popularity of the exhibit to word-of-mouth. Factory ObScura's permanent exhibit, "Mix-Tape," offers a tactile journey through themed rooms and a colorful sea-themed wonderland. The company's for-profit business model supports arts education in Oklahoma and has plans to expand the space to accommodate more events and exhibits.
Published : a month ago by Cassidy Martin in Lifestyle
Editor's note: This story is featured in OU Daily's Best of Oklahoma guide, which is available around campus in March-April. Check out other featured stories at the bottom of this article.
Factory Obscura is an Oklahoma City arts organization that creates immersive and accessible art experiences for all ages.
The organization began in 2017 when five artists combined their expertise to produce a mentally and physically interactive exhibit called “Shift,” an adult playground examining the idea of human consciousness.
A free exhibit created as proof of concept for immersive art, “Shift” was expected to bring in 5,000 visitors within three months, but instead reached 20,000.
Visitors waited outdoors in the cold, some arriving hours early, and others joining the line out of curiosity. Co-founder and director of logistical creativity Kelsey Karper credits the popularity of the exhibit to word-of-mouth.
“It’s always really great to turn to the person who's working with you and acknowledge that we are actually creating something,” staff artist Emma Difani said.
The team collaborates in the creation of new installations at Factory Obscura, all of which are wheelchair accessible and intentionally designed to offer a meaningful experience for those with vision and hearing impairments.
Factory Obscura’s name is inspired by the obscura camera, which projects photographed objects upside down and backward, paired with the concept of uniformity that is often associated with factories.
“Factory Obscura is about finding ways to support artists in ways that allow them to take leaps in their creative practice and careers,” Karper said.
While Factory Obscura designs many temporary exhibits, the company is known for its permanent exhibit, “Mix-Tape.” The 6,000-square-foot experience provides visitors with a tactile journey through various themed rooms such as a heart-shaped illuminated hallway and a colorful sea-themed wonderland.
Factory Obscura strives to impact the community in more ways than entertainment. Its for-profit business model supports arts education in Oklahoma.
Factory Obscura surpassed profit goals for the first time in 2023, allowing the organization to offer grants for art education, Karper explained. The program will be released later this year, and educators and organizations will be eligible to apply. Applications will be reviewed by the team at Factory Obscura. Karper said the team believes that arts education has different meanings to everyone and doesn’t fit into a specific box.
“The huge leaps (artists) can make with just a little bit of support is really inspiring and can have ripple effects across the community,” Karper said.
The organization also has plans to expand Mix-Tape to allow more opportunities to house additional events and exhibits. Mix-Tape currently has a merchandise shop named Bonus Track, full of Mix-Tape-inspired gifts designed by local artists.
Mix-Tape includes an unoccupied section of the building called East Bay, where performances, parties and garage sales are held. The team at Factory Obscura believes in creating events where people can come together regardless of age and background. Karper said that some of their most beloved parties, such as the winter solstice party, take place during the changing of seasons because every culture and religion can universally celebrate the passing of time.
“We carry our light into the community on the darkest night of the year,” Karper said.
Facury Obscura's Mix-Tape is open every day except Tuesday. General admission is $22 and includes all-day admission. Discounted admission rates are available for children 12 and under.
This story was edited by Shelby Emery and Emma Blakley. Gracie Benge, Grace Rhodes and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.