High House - Urban Luminance

ai augmented art installation

2024

Located atop one of the tallest buildings in Singapore's bustling bay area, "Urban Luminance" is a captivating digital art installation reinterpreting the shifting light, colors, and atmosphere of the skyline throughout the day, creating a mesmerizing visual narrative that reflects the pulse of Singapore.

"Urban Luminance" is a real-time, generative artwork that evolves in harmony with the natural cycle of day and night. As the sun traverses the sky, the installation transforms, mirroring the changing hues and moods of the cityscape below. From the gentle pastels of dawn to the vibrant neons of night, the artwork paints a dynamic portrait of Singapore's architecture and urban enviroment.

Developed exclusively for HighHouse, a premier nightlife and culinary destination,"Urban Luminance" constantly transforms, mirroring the changing hues and moods of the cityscape below.

The installation's visual language is inspired by the city's unique blend of modern skyscrapers, lush greenery, and the ever-present interplay of light and shadow. Abstract geometric forms, reminiscent of the buildings' facades as well as the interior of the space, move across the digital canvas, while soft gradients and shimmering reflections echo the sun's journey across the bay. From the gentle pastels of dawn to the vibrant neons of night, the artwork paints a dynamic portrait of Singapore's architecture and urban environment.

Augmenting the Narrative with AI

To deepen the connection between the artwork and its environment, "Urban Luminance" integrates an innovative AI-driven poetry generator. A camera capturing the sky above Singapore's bay area feeds visual data into a large language model, which translates the mood and ambiance of the sky into evocative, abstract verses. These AI-generated poems are then subtly superimposed over the visual composition, appearing and disappearing, creating a dynamic interplay between word and image.

AI-generated poetry adds a layer of context and meaning to the artwork, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between the city, its inhabitants, and the natural world. By interweaving visual art with machine-generated language, "Urban Luminance" showcases the potential for AI to augment and enrich digital art experiences, forging new pathways for storytelling and audience engagement.

A Symphony of Light and Emotion

As day turns to night, "Urban Luminance" takes viewers on an emotional journey through three distinct modes. The installation awakens with the first light of day, painting the digital canvas in soft, pastel hues. Gentle shadows play across the abstract cityscape, emphasizing architectural forms and textures. As the day progresses, the colors intensify, mirroring the sun's ascent and the city's vibrant energy.

The artwork transitions into a more contemplative mood, with mellow light and lengthening shadows creating subtle gradients across the composition. The colors shift to cooler tones, inviting a moment of reflection and tranquility amidst the urban bustle. As darkness falls, "Urban Luminance" comes alive with the pulsating rhythm of the city's nightlife. Vivid neons and shimmering reflections transform the digital landscape into a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow, capturing the electrifying atmosphere of Singapore after dark.

"Urban Luminance" is a testament to the power of digital art to capture the essence of a city and create meaningful, immersive experiences for visitors. By combining real-time generative visuals, AI-driven poetry, and a deep connection to the local environment, this installation showcases the potential of augmented, AI-driven storytelling in public art.

credits

  • Client: OUE Limited / HighHouse
  • Creative Direction: Cedric Kiefer
  • Production: Tobias Ziegler
  • Art Direction: Julian Braun
  • Code: João Fonseca
  • Photography: Ben Teo, onformative
  • Art Consultant: The Artling