Imagine that for a moment.
The Vision
For the ALTAR project at the Seoul Light Festival, Rapt explored the evolving relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence through a visceral, large-scale installation.
Our vision for ALTAR was to create a speculative sanctuary where technology and the human soul meet. It envisioned a future where humanity's dependence on AI leads to a form of worship, merging ancient rituals with a fourth technological awakening. The project aimed to transport the audience to an otherworldly realm, acting as a symbolic meeting point that challenged people to consider if we are on the brink of a second enlightenment. We focused on creating an abstract narrative built for drama and sensory overload, using simple but bold contrasting geometries to let the audience concentrate on a feeling rather than complex visuals.
The Creation
We designed and built a massive 26m x 16m x 12m structure at Han River Park, covered in shark tooth fabrics and integrated with a high-fidelity multimedia system. The installation featured a 10m x 12m LED screen, 60 moving heads, 200 metres of batten LED, and 16 high-intensity lasers.
Our team used Unreal Engine 5 for real-time 3D simulation and previsualization, while TouchDesigner was used to coordinate complex light fixture movements and spatial orientation. We developed a bespoke 10-minute audio-visual piece with a specific intensity curve to guide people through the experience. To ensure flawless operation over the 15-day event, we constructed a custom GUI in TouchDesigner for automated media server control.
The Moment
The moment people stepped into the sanctuary, they were enveloped in a symphony of sound, light, and 3D mapping. The physical reality of the Han River setting was transformed into a transformative narrative where viewers engaged in a ritual guided by an AI entity.
Each show attracted between 300 and 500 people, with all sessions fully booked throughout the festival. The synchronised interplay of light and shadow created a heart-stopping fusion of past and future, leaving a lasting impression of a shared, technologically-mediated experience. It was a visceral moment that redefined the park as a cultural hub for contemporary art.
