‘Dreamed of creating music with space as a dynamic element’

The Canyon stage is returning, where participants hike down from Arcosanti into the open canyon. Tetreault and his team build the stage, and Los Angelesbased artist collective Elestial Sound creates the environment, an encompassing space.

Last year, Skrillex and Four Tet did a late-night performance at this stage, and surprise guest Local Natives also performed there.

Envelop is a new space at FORM this year, founded by returning performer Willits. The 3D, immersive experience features 360-degree sound and is meant to create “a space of intentional listening and conscious connection,” according to the description. Envelop offers spatial audio utilizing open-source software tools, and will be the site of several earlymorning performances.

“I’ve always dreamed of creating music with space as a dynamic element, just like rhythm or melody,” Willits said. “Envelop a space where listening can more easily take priority. We’re providing another option that’s different from the traditional theatrical ‘stage.’ The audience is more in the experience of the sound, as opposed to the music being projected at them from a one-directional stage.”

One of the most important parts of FORM is bringing attention to Arcosanti and its mission.

“We’re really highlighting a site that is extremely significant and culturally under the radar for a lot of people,” he said. “Arcosanti stands for something that has never been more significant than now. It’s a more thoughtful approach to building cities. Phoenix is a city that is so sprawled out, and in a lot of ways is very inefficient. We need to look toward alternative methods of architecture and urban design like Arcosanti.”