The Creative Process as Immersive Art: Obsidiodyssey, a Meta-Installation

As excitement builds for the opening of Meow Wolf Houston in October, Santa Fe artist Janell Langford is preparing to unveil her latest immersive art installation: Obsidiodyssey. Known for her visionary worldbuilding and retro-futuristic illustrations that span mediums from fashion to prints, Langford draws from her experiences as a Black woman and an artist. Her next world, featured prominently in the upcoming Houston exhibition, continues to forge spaces that reflect fantastical comic book narratives, alter egos, and the magical artistic expressions she champions. With Obsidiodyssey, Langford invites participants on a trip through the artist’s mind—allowing us to witness the creative process that relates to the art that we are experiencing in real time.

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The Evolution of a Utopian World: From Obsidiopolis at Meow Wolf Santa Fe to Obsidiodyssey at Meow Wolf Houston

Obsidiopolis is a "creation and curation of unending Black girl magic," according to the brand’s website. The world of Obsidiopolis became a reality after Langford graduated from Seattle Central Design Academy and sought to create the lifestyle brand that reflected a world that needed to exist: a place where Black women can live their truths. The name of the world is inspired by obsidian, a stone known for its protective and truth-enhancing properties. "Black women and girls need to be encouraged to stand in their truth even when the world is not ready to listen," says Langford. 

This bright and magical world is depicted in an immersive art installation at Meow Wolf Santa Fe's House of Eternal Return called CJ’s Temporal Lobby. It’s also a multi-dimensional experience extending across visual art prints, coloring books, and a fashion line called “Faceted” that features shirts, crops, and more. Langford’s universe is experienced through characters that represent aspects of the artist: from CJ, the brilliant yet introverted creative with an active imagination, to Fantastrophe, the godlike pop star battling her complex persona, the characters of Obsidiopolis represent and challenge the ideas of personal limits, anxieties, and aspirations.

Obsidiopolis became a lifestyle brand and its eponymous installation became a cornerstone at House of Eternal Return, resulting in Langford being featured in Essence and The Cut, who called Langford, “The Graphic Designer Making Merch With Meaning.” 

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Obsidiodyssey: A New Chapter in Houston

Now, Langford is expanding her universe with Obsidiodyssey, a groundbreaking interactive experience set to be a central attraction at Meow Wolf Houston. This highly anticipated exhibition builds on the success of her previous work and is poised to become one of the must-see immersive art experiences in Houston. As an extension of Obsidiopolis, Obsidiodyssey is meta in its approach: its six rooms each represent different aspects of the creative process. Participants will join CJ on her assignment: creating the perfect music video for Fantastrophe as her art director. Browsing through storyboards in CJ's Studio, participants can also engage with interactive paint-by-numbers experiences that capture the flow state of creativity. Langford even plays with the concept of time with a clock on the wall where time passes very quickly, recognizing that in the creative process time can fly by when in a flow state.

"I wanted to make an experience that takes guests through the ebb and flow of darkness and joy that comes with putting your whole self into works of art,” said Langford. “For me, making art can be the most beautiful, euphoric thing in the world; but often, getting it out requires facing many of my demons. I hope this journey I've put before our guests resonates with creatives across the artistic spectrum."

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Participants might even get lost in Insidiopolis, a film noir-style alley that represents the artist’s fears and anxieties. Here, they will encounter the Correctors—AI characters who suppress creativity and magic—alongside Squiggle Man, a manifestation of imposter syndrome and the darkness that often accompanies artistic endeavors. The space echoes the tension between striving for greatness and the fears that can stifle creative ideation.

The adventure ultimately culminates in a fabulous house party music video experience. Fantastrophe’s House Party features an interactive DJ booth that allows participants to affect the music and visuals, with party cups that glow to the beat.

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Langford’s work is as much about the struggle of becoming as it is about the joy of creation. Through characters like Fantastrophe, who grapples with the balance between her godlike powers and her vulnerabilities, Langford explores the fine line between ambition and overreach. It's a reflection of the journey we all face—navigating the balance between the person we aspire to be, how far we’re willing to go, and the demons we encounter along the way.

As Obsidiodyssey prepares to open its doors, it is poised to become a standout Houston attraction, representing a bold continuation of Langford's mission: to create spaces where Black women and femmes can see themselves reflected in all their complexity, power, and beauty. Whether participants are stepping into CJ's Studio, navigating the uncertainties of Insidiopolis, or dancing through Fantastrophe's House Party, they will find themselves immersed in a world that celebrates both the glorious highs and the nerve-wracking lows of being an artist.