Stereopolis is an interactive installation for visual exploration. It consists of an immersive experience projected onto a circular glass screen, that visitors can interact with using a video-game controller. It features a 360° perception that creates a surprising distortion of elegant, colorful and kaleidoscopic visuals.
Through this unusual sight, the visitors can explore many different worlds. Each of these worlds has
its own visual style and hides some mysteries, some allegoric patterns hidden in plain sight: anamorphoses
which reveal themself only when seen from the right angle. Finding these view points
will allow access to other worlds, slowly unravelling the whole structure of Sterepolis universe.
Playing Steropolis does not requires speed or dexterity; it is all about exploration, taking time to
wander around and let go. So it is very enjoyable to watch it while someone else is playing. Thats’s
why it happens that multiple people play together, sharing their opinions, ideas, giving advice or
thoughts about what is happening on screen. Stereopolis generates collective playful experiences.
The 360° vision means that players can see in all directions at the same time. The constrast between
this characteristic and the flat surface creates an unusual distortion of space that is often
mind-bending to the viewer. Moreover, the particular grain of the glass is unusual: neither pixels,
nor CRT screen, the support of the projection itself adds to the feeling of diving into an unknown
world. The fresnel lens also add enigmatic radial reflections and unusal optics phenomenons that
strenghten this sensation.
Often, people first try to figure out the basics of space and movements through this specific distortion.
Later on, once used to this new sight, they become visual explorers, and then, pattern hunters:
looking for anamorphoses, those patterns seen from the only, right angle.
Immersed in colorful geometrical and kaleidoscopic art, an atmospheric soundtrack will escort the
visitors. Each world has its own distinct musical theme and soundscape. The visual journey becomes
a truly sensory, slow-paced, almost meditative and personnal experience. The ever changing
worlds and colors, while maintaining a continuous surprise, makes one loose it’s points of reference,
forget about time and let go.
The play of shifting appearances, animated patterns and bent spaces aims to create a distinct state
of focus and awe inspired peace.
Stereopolis is an attempt at orchestrating a set of densly textured, metamorphic, and vivid worlds. The very unique architecture of each space results from specific digital processes in accordance to animated graphic patterns. It is the result of a generative, trial and error, creative process.
These different worlds are composed together as a whole, being mapped around a dodecahedron where each point is one of these worlds. The resulting universe resonnates as an elegy to the beauty of digital processes and algorithms, and to the complexity of our own world.
Ben Vedrenne / GLKT (design, construction, development)
Sterepolis includes music by DunJin, Lee Roosevere & The Atlas Room.