New immersive experience being created at Powerplay in Southcentre Mall

Muralists from a number of countries are in Calgary working on an immersive exhibit, using a technique that dates back hundreds of years.

An immersive experience is being created in a new section of Powerplay called Snapshot, where 13 muralists from many parts of world are painting scenes where guests will be able to step into larger-than-life images and become part of the story the artwork is telling.

“It’s called anamorphic projection,” said Tracy Stum, project coordinator.

“It’s an old technique that was perfected in the Baroque era in Europe and it’s been passed down through a lineage of European artists over many centuries and now a lot of people here in North America practice this art form.”

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Stum has two other similar permanent installations in New Jersey and Puerto Vallarta called Tilt.

She says traditionally the artwork is presented at chalk festivals creating temporary optical illusions on the ground that wash away when it rains.

“The intention of the piece is to create a wonderful backdrop,” she said.

“We create the scene, you complete the painting - when somebody can actually become part of that painting, then it completes the intention of the artist’s vision.”

Julio Jimenez, an anamorphic muralist, is from Los Angeles and is painting two murals - one based on Drumheller’s prehistoric past and another with a musical gorilla that take up to five days to complete.

“This piece that I’m working on right now is with a giant gorilla that’s just rocking it out with a guitar,” he said.

“You’ve got the fireworks going on and then I have like bongo drums there so guests can come in and just play along with the gorilla.”

Jimenez says the public is an integral part of this art form by interacting with it and he says that completes the piece.

“It brings love, laughter, fun experiences and yeah that’s really one of I think my cornerstones as far as an artist is to bringing smiles and laughter to the world,” he said.

Viktoriia Parr, another muralist who lives in New York, is originally from Ukraine.

She wanted to create something with the cold Canadian ocean and orcas.

Her piece will allow viewers to step onto a surfboard and look like they’re riding a big wave with killer whales.

“I wanted to do something fun like that and also where people can stand on the surfboards that is going to be on the ground and just play, visit and have fun,” she said.

“It brings me a lot of joy to see when people engage with the artwork and enjoy themselves.”

Nick Blotsky, Powerplay’s director of operations says the facility is celebrating it’s first anniversary and, in that time, it’s been supported by people all over the city and southern Alberta.

He says Snapshot is unique and likely the first of its kind in Canada.

“(In Powerplay) there’s a lot going on, it’s super energetic, very stimulating,” he said.

“We wanted to have a bit of a different space that we developed and went a completely different way, for more tranquil and an immersive experience that will appeal to really all ages, it’s intended to be technology free because the rest of our space is so heavy in technology so we’re very excited to show it off.”

Snapshot will open in January 2026. Learn more about it here: https://www.powerplay.ca/snapshot.