prism of the future Transparent virtual art building / CATS
Text description provided by the architect. Nowadays, most immersive artworks (such as TeamLab’s exhibits) take place entirely in closed, dark spaces. The viewer detaches from the real world and loses awareness of physical space and surroundings. However, does the so-called “immersive” artistic experience need to be confined to an enclosed space? We want to challenge and explore new interactions for this new format in our design. Designed by CATS, Future Prism is an immersive art exhibition building. It is one of the first immersive art experience spaces in China that interact with the surrounding urban environment. An innovative fusion of design and imaging technology creates an experience that blends virtual and real.
leak front – “Future Prism” is the second building renovation project carried out by CATS in an old factory building in Yangpu County. Transformed into an innovative exhibition space that fully highlights the development of cutting-edge digital art. Our special challenge this time around was how to get viewers to experience immersive digital art while maintaining a dialogue with the real environment. The work site is located in Yangpu District of Shanghai. It is surrounded by industrial factories and dense slums that are about to be demolished. The original building was a 150 m2 boiler room with large windows on the east and west sides. Facing the street and inner courtyard respectively, we first embed a multi-paned arched glass interface that protrudes outwards at the location of the windows. in order to expand the space within the building People can literally step into these “bags”. And at the same time experience digital light and shadow effects. and interact with the streets
These curved glasses are coated with a high-tech holographic film. which not only keeps the glass transparent but also clearly projected images. During the day, they show maximum transparency. at night they do an indoor “flowing party” on the street; meanwhile They also bring in outdoor street lights, pedestrians and other elements. in the real world to the field of vision of indoor viewers
Special Stage – You are co-author with me, the main protagonist, what you see is up to you — Olafer Eliasson. This 6m*12m square area has a very simple original layout. We embed a uniquely shaped stage into it. so that the internal plane reflects the transparent façade and add strong dynamic dynamics. It thus produces a four-dimensional interaction of the visual, physical, and environmental aspects, first of all, according to the position of the window. We connect the audience’s eyes from different angles. and realizing an interesting winding path on the ground plane.
Second, we added another change at the path level to guide viewers to infect virtual reality while still brainstorming in reality. The size of each route varies. to remind visitors to move their bodies Some trails may seem like a dead end, but they’re actually designed with a slightly wider mileage than your normal pace. Should the visitor move forward or skip it? Explore how to interact with light and shadow and each location. This “stage” can be used in different modes. For exhibitions, performances or social events In addition to the main stage The central control room is also located on the opposite side of the first floor. and the second floor is a reception room
Pioneering technology and digital art – This time, we have the opportunity to innovate and explore the paradigm of the digital art space. It also takes advantage of the ongoing innovation of space imaging technology controlled by the team. We foresee the ideal application of digital art in the future. Including cross-media exhibitions and live performances, we also hope that more artists and designers can contribute to the field of digital art. So that physical space and digital art can be integrated in such a way that more people experience new forms of art and achieve a more distinctive “augmented reality” effect. Audio artist Ma Shihua has brought three of his own interactive audio-visual works to deliver immersive works through stereo channels and 3D visual effects. The inner and outer future prism involves quiet days and overflowing nights. Maybe it deflects the arrival of a more advanced future.
