SUPERSONIC | LA BRUME
"Supersonic" is an innovative project that seamlessly blends digital art and music into an immersive experience. Created by Sébastien Galera, a Swiss-based digital artist with a rich portfolio of metaverse-based experiences for brands like BMW, H&M, and Clinique, this project represents the pinnacle of his creative endeavors. "Supersonic" transforms traditional DJ sets into a visual and auditory journey, where every beat of the music is mirrored by a dynamic, evolving world projected behind the performers.
Part I : Terra
The core idea behind "Supersonic" is to build unique virtual worlds for each DJ set, encapsulating the mood, rhythm, and increasing sense of speed of the music. These worlds are not static backdrops but living, breathing environments that react in real-time to the music. This approach allows for a non-repetitive aesthetic experience, where the pathways through the worlds are randomized, ensuring that each performance is unique. The audience is transported through these worlds, making them feel like passengers on a journey through a digital cosmos.
A standout feature of "Supersonic" is its real-time interactivity. The visual worlds are not pre-rendered but are dynamically generated, allowing for real-time VJing. This capability enables Sébastien to adapt the visuals on the fly, responding to the energy and flow of the music. The interactive elements, such as reflective and refractive geometrical shapes, create the illusion of reality shattering, adding a layer of surrealism to the experience. This real-time interaction ensures that every performance is a unique creation, tailored to the moment.
"Supersonic" leverages the power of Unreal Engine 5 to create stunning, real-time rendered environments. Advanced technologies such as dynamic lighting, particle effects, and audio-reactive elements are utilized to craft immersive landscapes that evolve with the music. The integration of these elements allows Sébastien to act as a pilot, guiding the audience through different worlds, each perfectly synchronized with the DJ sets. This technical prowess ensures that "Supersonic" is not just a visual feast but a deeply interactive experience.
Each world in "Supersonic" is meticulously designed to reflect the thematic progression of the event. The journey starts with "Alpha," a serene, Earth-like landscape that transitions from day to night. It then ascends to the atmospheric heights of "Beta," with its dramatic cloudscapes and lightning storms. "Charlie" takes the audience into the cosmic vastness of space, filled with vibrant nebulae and asteroid fields. The final set, "Echo," breaks through the boundaries of reality into an abstract, fractal dimension, representing the ultimate transcendence of the journey. Each set's unique visual narrative adds depth to the overall experience.
The debut of "Supersonic" was a resounding success, captivating an audience of 250 people who were enthralled by the seamless integration of music and visuals. The project's success highlights the potential for digital art to create new forms of immersive entertainment. Looking ahead, Sébastien plans to create videos of each world, participate in online world-building contests, and collaborate with major musicians to explore new creative possibilities. "Supersonic" is a testament to the power of digital art and technology to push the boundaries of traditional performances, offering a glimpse into the future of live entertainment.
Research project for La Brume, 2024