Join us for the launch of

12th January 2023

Meet the artists from 1pm  Outernet London,  Tottenham Court Road



Taking inspiration from Renaissance paintings and a love of classical art and technology, the Glasseye team, led by XR creative lead Agustin Vidal Saavedra have developed a mind blowing 360 experience. Enter ‘The Summer Palace’ and take a journey through space and time in this truly immersive work that combines Renaissance paintings animation, particle simulations, 3D visuals and sound to create an experience like no other.

Glasseye Productions partner with Outernet London for the launch of this experience screened at the Now Building; the largest open space comprising of 5 extra-large screens in 8k resolution – a ground-breaking canvas for experiential creative content in a free public space.

Credits

Creative and XR Vision and Design:

Agustin Vidal Saavedra

Unreal Developer:

Enrique Gordillo Fernandez

3D Modeler:

David Guerrero

Music Composer:

Owen Ferguson

Sound Design:

Matias Vidal Saavedra

Producer:

Yvonne Cleary

Executive Producer:

Janet Beck


Tunnel of Ceilings

From the beginning of time, humanity has attempted to join the human and spiritual worlds with geometric patterns. One of the most impressive aspects of sacred geometry is how it can influence the way we view space and scale.

This part of the animation was made from real pictures of different ceilings around the world. All were brought together to build a geometrical tunnel in After Effects. The intricate shapes of temples, cathedrals, mosques, and churches can be found around the globe, each reflecting a unique blend of mathematical complexity, design principles, and symmetry. We have assembled these images as the opening stage of the experience.

Reaching the sun

As we continue our journey through the sky, the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The first thing we see is an animated version of "The Lament for Icarus," a painting by Herbert James Draper. Sunbeams filter through the clouds, adding to the overall sense of tranquility and beauty.

We generated the clouds as VDB files using specialized software. These VDB files were then imported into Cinema 4D, where we used Octane to add lighting to the clouds and bring them to life. Also, we enhanced the overall aesthetic of the clouds by applying a smart AI painting filter in Photoshop. Finally, we brought all of the elements together and finalized the composition in After Effects, ensuring that the clouds were perfectly integrated into the overall animation.

Human DNA

On a molecular level, our bodies are made up of the same dust that forms nebulas, pulsars, and quasars in distant galaxies. Our DNA contains living information about the birth and death of stars across billions of years of cosmic history. This part of the animation serves as a reminder of the deep and enduring connection between humanity and the night sky above.

Our goal for this animation was to create two human columns appearing to be a part of a larger galaxy. To achieve this effect, we manipulated a painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau titled "Les Oréades" to replicate the front view of a DNA structure, which we then aligned with the swirling motion of the galaxy. The result is an visually striking depiction of the center of a galaxy encased within a strand of human bodies.

Inside the birth

The center of the nebula features a circular burst containing an animated painting. As we fly through the painting, a surreal scene is revealed, with the nebula's vibrant shades blending seamlessly with the ethereal columns in the background.

This animation was made from the Nicolas Poussin's masterpiece, The Birth of Venus. We utilized mesh deformations in After Effects to add life and realism to the facial features. In order to achieve a 3D effect, we divided the entire painting into multiple layers and used a virtual camera to move through the image, allowing the viewer to experience a sense of depth and immersion.

Entering the Wormhole

As soon as we ventured into the nebula, we are quickly thrust into a chaotic environment of spinning light and color. Descending further into the depths of the swirling cosmic dust, the tunnel become darker. We navigate through the depths of the nebula until the abyss begins to reveal itself. The speed increases as we spiral towards an unknown destination.

The tunnel is a 3D cylinder composed of numerous organic cloud layers that shift and change in both hue and composition over time. The creation of this intricate visual effect was achieved using After Effects, with camera deformations employed to give the tunnel a swirling motion. 

Infinite void

We find ourselves in the depths of the universe, where there is no sense of direction. Instead, we are in a shimmering world of fractals and curves. There is no way to move forward, as the directions are all jumbled up in a formless void. It seems that there is no way to leave this strange place, until we pick up speed and break through a swirling light. This is the first time we are going in the opposite direction.

Fractals were created using mathematical formulas in Mandelbulb, a specialized software. To achieve a desired aesthetic, we utilized royalty crowns and baroque paintings as reference materials for coloring and shaping the fractals. Our ultimate goal was to craft a unique, otherworldly setting that evokes the impression of a structure of reality made from the most precious metals and gold..

The Explosion

We emerge from a blackhole that seems to lead to the very essence of nothingness, a darkness that represents all that we do not know and cannot comprehend. Suddenly, the hole collapses, releasing a bright golden light that reveals the final painting.

The Wormhole and the massive explosion was made in After effects using several layers of particle simulations mirroring themselves to make it massive and beautiful at the same time. We used the idea of a sacred halo in classical paintings as a visual reference. As the particles goes away from the Centre, they take the color of a final painting that is The Apotheosis of Hercules, painting by François Lemoyne. The ceiling closes before we get to see the full picture.


The art world is entering a new era as we undergo a complete change in how we interact with ourselves and others. Social media, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and AI are leading us into new experiences. Contemporary art may be judged not only by its visual appeal but also by its ability to bring together different genres and create interactive experiences that stand out.

The potential for creating memorable artwork is vast as technology allows for more creativity. We are on the cusp of a powerful journey as these elements combine to create something bigger - a network of innovation that leads to incredible artistry and makes art accessible to all.