Art and technology may seem opposites, but when they come together, they create a place where magic happens, says Lalindra Amarasekara, technical director of The Sixth Sense.
Lalindra says, “The combination of art and technology has always been experimental and exploratory. We have created a platform where we bring together the diversity of both these elements.”
Taking place over a period of 18 days in Alembic City, The Sixth Sense is an immersive festival that aims to blend art, music, technology and nature in an effort to reconnect humans with the natural world. Conceptualized by Swordfish, the minds behind Echoes of Earth, The Sixth SenseWill allow visitors to experience “large-scale digital installations, spatial sound performances, interactive environments and participatory workshops”.
The workshops will be conducted in collaboration with Germany’s NODE Institute which will present TouchDesigner Sessions, an initiative where creative coders, digital artists and experienced designers from around the world will work and learn together.
According to Roshan Netalkar, founder-director of Echoes of Earth and Swordfish, “A festival like this brings the essence of nature in a digital and immersive way, with new media as a canvas.”
Exhibitions and Artists at The Sixth Sense Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Roshan says that the sixth sense was born from echoes. “Although we would spend almost a year building Echoes, its duration was only two days, in a fast-paced setting where people were unable to spend sufficient time with concept notes or installation.”
“We wanted to slow down this learning process, and at the same time, use technology in a positive way for knowledge transfer. That’s how we came up with this format to have a bigger conversation with the audience.”
Roshan explained how almost every aspect of life today happens through technology interface. “The phone, too, has become an immersive experience with content that captivates you. It has become a companion itself.”
Lalindra says, “Art has also turned to technology, and a lot of forward thinking with respect to technology happens through art. The festival is not only a platform that brings artists and technologists together, but also an opportunity to create collaborations.”
The Sixth Sense will be installed in Alembic City, a 60-year-old factory, where 22 art installations qualified by nature will be showcased. “Designed as a walkthrough, there is physical information, digitized, immersive experiences, sound and sonic installations and more. There is an artistic interpretation of almost every concept here. For example, there is a collaborative work between multiple parties where data from bats has been created into an installation with lasers,” says Roshan.
The cast of The Sixth Sense Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
He further added, “While the festival will be a joy to watch, it will also ensure an intense learning experience in almost every aspect.”
According to Udit Amin, managing director of Alembic Global Holdings SA, the venue has been designed as “a walkable complex that is quiet, sustainable and keeps cars out”.
“We wanted to present art as a different way of life in contrast to the mundane, monotonous existence that surrounds us. Digital media, light and sound-based tools and other aspects of technology have been used to create a different medium to showcase art.”
“I would advise people to use the metro as it stops at our gate,” says Udit.
Lalindra says the festival is not about showcasing technology, nor is it for any specific audience. “We’re here to deliver an interesting and engaging new experience for everyone. No one needs to know how the system works to appreciate it; The Sixth Sense can be enjoyed by everyone.”
He said that each participating artist has skillfully understood and portrayed the theme of “nature’s intelligence” in their work. He noted that The Banyan Tree by Berlin-based Stefan Bontli is an installation that “brings together idea and technology.”
“It’s a sensory piece that moves with people in the room. The connection we feel with a tree is heightened here and what we feel is clearly experienced with this installation.”
Exhibitions and Artists at The Sixth Sense Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Each exhibit is different, created by digital, audio and visual artists who work with hardware, sensors, protocols that communicate with devices and more. As a result, the technology used to support each installation is multifaceted.
Lalindra says each piece has an underlying story that unfolds as one walks through the exhibitions, and he encourages visitors to focus on taking in this “inner experience” at a leisurely pace.
Workshops, sessions and masterclasses organized by the NODE Institute will cover a range of topics including experience design, data visualization, lighting, AI and live visual performance. The workshops, which began on February 5, will continue through February 11, with TouchDesigner sessions scheduled for February 12 and 13.
The Sixth Sense is running till February 22 at Alembic City, Whitefield, Bengaluru. The schedule of events and tickets starting at ₹1499 are available on thesixthsensefestival.com.
published – February 06, 2026 06:12 PM IST