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The tiny owls are hidden everywhere, one of dozens of woodland creatures and “spirits of the forest” concealed in trees, among curling grasses, and behind peepholes. Discovering them is part of the magic of Shiki Dreams. The interactive and immersive arts show from Prismajic (which opened December 15) invites guests to explore the world of Shiki, a yeti whose Japanese name translates to “four seasons.”
Guests step through a sunburst-covered door into Shiki’s thatch-roofed hut in the woods before choosing their own adventure into three spaces that animate his dreams—a tranquil white room, a fishing pond, and a town-like setting. More than 35 Colorado artists were involved in their creation. Small flashlights, provided to every guest, reveal hidden messages, images, and, sometimes, interactive moments. (Without giving too much away, we encourage you to ring a bell when you see it.)
Nearly all of the senses are triggered, from scents that connect the mythical settings to reality to birdsong that floats through the air. “We have this idea of rewarding curiosity,” says Eric Jaenike, co-founder and president of Prismajic, the creative company behind Shiki Dreams. “When you engage all of the senses, you can create the biggest emotional experiences.”
Jaenike and co-founder Jennifer Mosquera combine art and technology in ways that transport people into alternative worlds. They’re best known for developing Natura Obscura at the Museum of Outdoor Arts in 2019. Shiki, their second experience, was originally envisioned as a small pop-up; it opened in early 2020 and was named fourth-best immersive art experience in the country by USA Today readers.
The new iteration is Prismajic’s first permanent exhibition. And it’s on a much grander scale, at 4,000 square feet (nearly three times the size of the pop-up). It’s also part of a much grander vision: Prismajic’s space at Colorado Mills in Lakewood is intended to be the final leg of a cultural triangle anchoring the 40 West Arts District. The other two legs: Meow Wolf and, you guessed it, Casa Bonita. “There’s this big vision for Lakewood to create this Colfax creative corridor,” Jaenike says. “I think it has a lot of potential.”
Visitors’ final sense—taste—is incorporated in the Night Owls, a woodsy cafe and bar. The venue is open to the public, meaning you don’t need a ticket to order a tipple, but the dim, lantern-lit space is the perfect spot to reconvene after wandering through Shiki Dreams, discussing discoveries over salty pretzels with mustard flights and a flaming, rum-forward Nighthawk cocktail. (Former Ace Eat Serve chef Thach Tran crafted the small food menu.) Look out for a “flight of the senses”—a collection of five drinks that extend the immersive experience to your taste buds by, say, changing colors. Additional events like intimate concerts and poetry readings are coming to the lineup soon as well.
The story doesn’t end there, though. Jaenike and Mosquera are working on adding six more rooms (another 4,000 square feet) that extend Shiki’s story via a focus on color theory and chakras. They expect those to open to the public in mid-2024.
As in Shiki Dreams, patience is the key to unlocking the magic.
Shiki Dreams is on view Wednesday through Sunday at Prismajic’s new space inside Colorado Mills (14500 W. Colfax Ave., Unit 359B, Lakewood). Tickets are $24 for children ages four to 12 and $28 for adults.
